CCTV shows attack suspect 'carrying woman in street'

An alleged rape victim has shown "remarkable courage" by allowing the release of CCTV footage which shows her suspected attacker carrying her in the street while she was nearly unconscious, police said.

The suspect can be seen in the images taking the 25-year-old woman in his arms across Tennant Street in central Birmingham on October 19 last year, minutes before she was allegedly attacked.

Officers had previously put out an image of a key witness, believed to have dwarfism and known only as Kevin, who left the Walkabout bar on Broad Street with the complainant at 4am.

Police said the pair walked towards Granville Street, where the suspect - described as a black man - spoke to Kevin and scooped the woman into his arms, leaving Kevin alone.

A short time later a report was made to the police when a member of the public found the woman in a highly distressed state.

Detective Constable Danette Calvey, from West Midlands Police's Public Protection Unit, said: "There will undoubtedly be people who will watch these images and wrongly judge the woman.

"It must be remembered that this woman has been attacked and that she has displayed remarkable courage by allowing us to release the footage.

"She hopes that these new images may jog someone's memory and that their call may make the difference to her attacker being caught or left to roam the streets.

"I implore people to take a good look at the CCTV and focus on the man.

"Do you recognise him? Were you in the area around the time of the attack? I appreciate it was a long time ago but the situation will have looked very odd and will undoubtedly have stayed with you.

"I would also appeal to the man in the footage to call me. Please, come forward now. This is your chance to explain."

DC Calvey said that police are still looking for Kevin, who is believed to be a white man, with dwarfism, in his 20s, with short dark hair.

Police have carried out house-to-house inquiries, looked through hours of CCTV footage from cameras across Birmingham and secured forensic evidence as part of their investigation.

Anyone with information should call 101. Information can also be given anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.