A STUDENT today relived the terrifying moment she was grabbed from behind, dragged into the road, knocked unconscious and subjected to a horrific sex assault in Sheffield.

The girl - a fresh-faced 20-year-old Sheffield Hallam University student - was walking home alone when she was attacked on Eastwood Road, Hunters Bar.
She pleaded with anyone with information to contact police after officers on bikes carried out high-visibility night patrols in a bid to catch her attacker.
The girl had spent the evening at Kingdom nightclub in Barker's Pool and had taken a taxi back to Ecclesall Road, where she got into an argument with one of her friends in a takeaway.
She headed for home on her own, but was grabbed from behind by a man who forced his hands over her mouth and dragged her onto the ground between two parked cars.
Unable to shout for help for much of her ordeal, she managed to let out a scream when her attacker's hands briefly slipped - so he knocked her unconscious by smashing her head on the road.
Police have carried out high-visibility patrols around Ecclesall Road looking for potential witnesses, and conducted door-to-door inquiries close to the scene of the attack. Officers are also studying CCTV footage in the hope of spotting the attacker.
Today the girl - who is still awaiting results of tests for sexually transmitted diseases - told The Star: "I left the club with two housemates and we got a taxi to Ecclesall Road.
"We called at a takeaway where I got into an argument with one of them and set off to walk home.
"I remember being upset and crying and a man asking me if I was alright. I felt a bit uneasy so I started running and turned into Eastwood Road.
"The next thing I knew someone grabbed me from behind and forced their hand over my mouth.
"I was dragged between two parked cars and pushed to the ground. "He was trying to push my face into the ground all the time and I was trying to stop him but it must have eventually hit the ground because I had a blackout and ended up with a black eye and a big bruise on my forehead.
"I remember wanting to get away and wrestling with him on the ground and telling him he was hurting me. Then a woman knocked on her window and he jumped up and ran away."
She said the experience had left her wary of men and frightened to be alone.
"I want people to come forward and tell the police what they know so he doesn't get away with this and can't do it to anyone else," she pleaded."My family are really upset."
Forensic tests are being carried out to try to trace the man, who was white, 5ft 11ins to 6ft 2ins tall, aged between 18 and his mid-20s, with light, possibly spiky, hair.
The attack happened just a few streets from Frog Walk - a secluded shortcut between Sharrow and Ecclesall Road.
Call Det Sgt Denise Booth or Det Con Dot Fagan at Ecclesfield CID on 0114 296 4666.

I hope the scumbag is caught and castrated.

God that's terrible. I lived across the road from where this happened until Christmas. I hope they catch him as I won't feel safe until they do.

nobodys safe! whats up with these sicko,s ? this country as got to start getting tough on these sort of crimes not treat the perpetrators with kid gloves

Did anyone see in the papers this week that some sentencing board wants jail terms for rapists to be cut by 15%

Sends out a clear message doesn't it? :loopy:

I think its a disgrace. Sick evil scum get away with rape all the time as it is without lowering the sentence. I really do believe that rapists should be castrated.

oh my god! i dont live far from there, how scary is that!, i dont tend to walk anywhere on my own after dark, coz i know these things might happen. i know to be extra careful now. Poor girl

The attack happened just a few streets from Frog Walk - a secluded shortcut between Sharrow and Ecclesall Road.

Why do people still use that shortcut (especially lone women at night) given the number of people who have been attacked round there, even in daylight ?

Infact why hasn't the council or police done something ?

Last year I lived on Stalker Lees Road opposite Frog Walk and a girl from uni was raped virtually outside our front door in exactly the same circumstances. Despite doing door to door enquiries the police never caught the guy. I wouldn't be suprised if it's the same attacker, it's so awful for the poor girl but I doubt they will catch anybody.

I hope the scumbag is caught and castrated.


what a ******* **** i hope he gets his knads cut off, and dies a slow painful death - no judge, no jury, straight to execution.

Frog walk, just the other day, my mate got robbed. Well I say robbed, the guy told him to give him all his money, and he went into his pockets and then sparked the guy out. haha.

still it's a dodgy place..

I really do believe that rapists should be castrated.

I do (same for paedophiles), but I don't trust our legal system enough to let them adopt that as a punishment.

This wasnt on Frog Walk, it was on Eastwood Road, only 10 yards from the junction with Hickmott Road... hardly a quiet place, even at that time. I came past the next morning while the Police had the road blocked for forensics, and from memory it was between the second and third cars parked next to the junction.

Very alarming :(

Hope she feel better soon.

Why do people still use that shortcut

Well perhaps they have not lived in the area for very long ????

I have never heard of this cutting and lived the area for about 12 months.

I do (same for paedophiles), but I don't trust our legal system enough to let them adopt that as a punishment.

Agreed, shame old state really !

Perhaps some action should be made to either light the area or some other practical assistance ?

Last year I lived on Stalker Lees Road opposite Frog Walk and a girl from uni was raped virtually outside our front door in exactly the same circumstances. Despite doing door to door enquiries the police never caught the guy. I wouldn't be suprised if it's the same attacker, it's so awful for the poor girl but I doubt they will catch anybody.

It is a big City with lots of people passing through it so don't stop the press.

DNA is kept on record, so ther is always a chance of these horrible crimes being solved.

we used to call frog walk frog run when i lived near there

Oh my god! Whatever happened to feeling safe to walk down the street on your own without having to watch your back?

Oh my god! Whatever happened to feeling safe to walk down the street on your own without having to watch your back?

lol @ rubber neck

sorry

but haven't people been attacking each other for thousands of years?

Well I used to feel much safer walking round Sheffield on my own than I do now. Sorry for having an opinion.

lol @ rubber neck

sorry

but haven't people been attacking each other for thousands of years?

this is a very silly argument. Does this give any body the right to rub or rape if it has been the case for 100000000000000000000years ?????????!!!!!!!!

Strange!!

I agree with Iaffbd's comments that no-one has the right to violate another person.

I also take exception to the young lady in question being described as "fresh-faced".

we are back to the dark-age myths that are perpetrated that "rape only happens to sweet,and innocent young women".

what the heck -difference does it make what age this woman is, it's a disgusting and heinous crime, whatever the age or sexual history of the person attacked.

it doesn't matter whether this woman was dressed in a minskirt or a nun's habit, this attack on her was wrong.

it doesn't matter whether this woman was young or old, this attack was wrong.

I hope the poor woman recovers swiftly from this awful attack.

PT

anyone remember the public flogging thread?

id definately like to see these ******* punished in rather painful ways.

and castration to finish off.

hope the girl recovers well...

Mod note:

I know it's emotive, but this is still a family forum so I'm asking members to refrain from foul and violent language.

Thanks.

I don't need to say how nasty a crime rape is so I won't go on about it.
Just a note to all you girls out there - stay safe.

The "would you walk through Pitsmoor" thread made me think....

Do you think that people who believe they live in a "safe" area are a bit less vigilent when they are out and about, and have a "it doesn't happen round here" attitude ?

I'm not that girl wasn't paying enough attention BTW, I meant in general, do people lull themselves into a sense of false security ?

As a Sheffield guy in my 50's I am apauled by this foul act. This girl is a guest in my city and should be able to walk wherever she wishes whenever she wants without fear of being attacked. There is a strong case for the police to consider the instalation of CCTV cameras on streets that are predominantly student accommodation areas.

It's no use asking where all the men were who could of helped her, this type of coward will wait and pick his time and spot. But come on lads if possible, at least whilst this pratt is at large walk the girls home when it's dark.

The "would you walk through Pitsmoor" thread made me think....

Do you think that people who believe they live in a "safe" area are a bit less vigilent when they are out and about, and have a "it doesn't happen round here" attitude ?

I'm not that girl wasn't paying enough attention BTW, I meant in general, do people lull themselves into a sense of false security ?


I do think that people can have an attitude that "This is a 'nice' area, and so I couldn't possibly be attacked here!"

Folk should be alert and aware, no matter what area they are in, whether it has a good or a bad reputation.

I feel reasonably safe, wandering around where I live, but I still take "precautions" so as make doubly sure I am safe.

I don't flash my phone, or my money, I don't wear ostentatious jewelry, and I keep my ears perked for other people around. I am not paranoid about it, I just think that I have to protect myself.

PT

The "would you walk through Pitsmoor" thread made me think....

Do you think that people who believe they live in a "safe" area are a bit less vigilent when they are out and about, and have a "it doesn't happen round here" attitude ?

I'm not that girl wasn't paying enough attention BTW, I meant in general, do people lull themselves into a sense of false security ?
I think you certainly have a point - lots of the replies on this thread are of the "I can't believe it, I live near there" variety. However I have to say that Eastwood Road is possibly one of the poorest-lit streets in the whole of this area of Sheffield. Try walking down it just after dark when people are walking home from work etc - I've almost bumped into people because it's so hard to see where you're going, and it felt a bit unsafe to me because of this.

The Council clearly need to sort out the street lighting on that road.

I don't need to say how nasty a crime rape is so I won't go on about it.
Just a note to all you girls out there - stay safe.

I understand your sentiment, but why the onus on us girls to "stay safe"? Surely we should be saying to men "don't rape"! I am not trying to belittle you or offend, I just think its about time we started educating men to have more respect for women. I know there are a small proportion of disturbed people for whom no amount of education will help, but it just upsets me that as women, we are supposed to take the responsibility for preventing rape.

I also would like to add that I agree with the description of the victim as "fresh faced" was insulting and unneccesary.

I understand your sentiment, but why the onus on us girls to "stay safe"? Surely we should be saying to men "don't rape"!

It's a nice idea......but it wouldn't work IMO. The vast majority of men have no inclination to carry out such an act, and those that do have the inclination would be hard to target, and even harder to educate.

probaby a bad day to read about this then?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3601879a12,00.html

It's a nice idea......but it wouldn't work IMO. The vast majority of men have no inclination to carry out such an act, and those that do have the inclination would be hard to target, and even harder to educate.
I agree that most men would never carry out any kind of assault, but what I am suggesting is to educate all men, about having respect for women in general. Not just to say "don't rape" but basically to see women as human beings rather than sexual objects to be treated any way they wish. I know lots of men who would never rape a woman but still have little respect for them, and will happily mage derogatory remarks which show a lack of respect. IMO this is largely a result of "lads' mag" culture and advertising.

I also believe that men have to be educated more about what rape actually is. Unfortunatley it is not just women being dragged off the street at night and assaulted, but it happens between husband and wife, within families and of course the so called "date rape" scenario, which I think you would be surprised to hear many of the women you know will have experienced. Often the women themselves don't feel they have been raped since they have been conditioned into thinking that men can treat them in this way, that they somehow deserved it. That's why I think there should be more education, targeted at all men and women.

I agree that most men would never carry out any kind of assault, but what I am suggesting is to educate all men, about having respect for women in general. Not just to say "don't rape" but basically to see women as human beings rather than sexual objects to be treated any way they wish. I know lots of men who would never rape a woman but still have little respect for them, and will happily mage derogatory remarks which show a lack of respect. IMO this is largely a result of "lads' mag" culture and advertising.

I also believe that men have to be educated more about what rape actually is. Unfortunatley it is not just women being dragged off the street at night and assaulted, but it happens between husband and wife, within families and of course the so called "date rape" scenario, which I think you would be surprised to hear many of the women you know will have experienced. Often the women themselves don't feel they have been raped since they have been conditioned into thinking that men can treat them in this way, that they somehow deserved it. That's why I think there should be more education, targeted at all men and women.

Again, I agree it is a nice idea, but it just wont ever happen.

We are incapable of educating our children properly in this country, I don't see how we could educate the entire population.

Ok, well everyone is entitled to their opinion! But I suppose if we always said "nice idea, but it'll never happen" then we wouldn't have a lot of things in this country, free and compulsory schooling amongst them! As well as universities, free hospitals, in fact most things which are available to all of us.
At least the government is making a start with its recent campaign:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4803878.stm
I'm just glad that the Home Office didn't just say "nice idea, but it'll never happen"
:smile:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4803878.stm

I hate to point out the obvious, but rapists have always known it's illegal to rape someone. All this will do is increase the number of incidents reported, and not neccesarily all of them will be just.

There's actually a thread on this somewhere....goes off to look...

All this will do is increase the number of convictions.
God forbid that we increase the number of convictions for rape, we wouldn't want it to rise above the paltry figure it is at the moment would we? You say "all this will do" as if its hardly anything! To a woman who has been raped a conviction means everything, how can you belittle this? I believe that there are some men who currently don't think they have committed a crime, when in fact they have. These men know that rape is illegal but as far as they are concerned they are not "rapists".
I'm sorry I will have to leave this topic now, I'm getting too ranty! Apologies!

God forbid that we increase the number of convictions for rape, we wouldn't want it to rise above the paltry figure it is at the moment would we? You say "all this will do" as if its hardly anything! To a woman who has been raped a conviction means everything, how can you belittle this? I believe that there are some men who currently don't think they have committed a crime, when in fact they have. These men know that rape is illegal but as far as they are concerned they are not "rapists".
I'm sorry I will have to leave this topic now, I'm getting too ranty! Apologies!

What about the ladies who decide they didn't consent the morning after, or don't remember doing so? Or decide they didn't to spite an ex-lover?

The law change has placed women in a huge position of power. That is my opinion.

A rapist is just that. So is a date-raper. I have no problem with these vile creatures being imprisoned.

I do however have an issue with these cases now being decided on a he says/she says basis. That is grossly unfair.

I very much doubt that this law will bring convictions up. Rape still only has a 5% conviction rate. Five percent! Now are you really saying that 95% of rape allegations are false or exxagerated? And of those 5% the average conviction time is just 7 years. Hardly a 'strong' case.

Many women just feel, why bother? Even workers in rape crisis centres have been reported as saying if their daughter was raped, they would advise her not to report it because you are so unlikely to be believed and the whole process is so traumatic.

May I suggest you go and have a look at some of the debate on the 'check for consent before sex' thread? - it has covered this topic well.

To be honest I don't know if it's entirely appropriate that this thread continues since this actually happened to someone in Sheffield who could be reading all this or could even be a member of the forum?

Well it doesn't look very closed to me.

i've read most of the early postings on this thread...and just to change the subject slightly..

(BTW, i hope the young lady will be able to live some sort of life after this shocking crime)

i noticed in the report in the star, that she and her friends had argued with her beforehand... and they parted...

what can the other friends be thinking now?? i've obviously had arguments with my other half and that(like most couples i guess, one time or another), but i couldnt live with myself if the last words before she was attacked were harsh?!

I don't need to say how nasty a crime rape is so I won't go on about it.
Just a note to all you girls out there - stay safe.

Why just the girls??

I know men are at a slightly lesser risk of being raped but was it not shown the other week that it still happens!

We all, male and female need to be aware or the dangers out there, we live in a far from perfect world where things like this do happen and will undoubtedly continue happening!

i have an opinion on this, but it's so late and i'm so dunk that i can't articulate it without sounding like i'm condoning rape.. despite my not posting it, can i say for the record this would never be my intention..

i struggle to understand the mentality of true rapists.. however, a girl feeling regret the following morning does not constitute rape.. it was simply a regrettable decision based on beer goggles.. a position blokes have found themselves in countless times..

in fact, considering the other threads on this board about recently passed bills, this is perhaps the wrong thread for this rambling answer..

I've just read this thread. I hope the girl gets her justice. I think she's brave to make the statement that she did after what's happened to her. I hope she doesn't let this experience affect her emotionally, cos then the rapist would win ! :mad:

I can't believe something has happened, and it's so close to home. I regret arguing with my ex about safety when I use to walk just up the road to my home. I think you can never be too safe anywhere. =/

Why do people still use that shortcut (especially lone women at night) given the number of people who have been attacked round there, even in daylight ?

Infact why hasn't the council or police done something ?
why dont the council put cctv cameras here...they seem to be evry bloody where else??
i think thats its absolutley horrible to think that this happens in a place that i felt so safe in...is this the same attack that happened at the bottom of neil road or is a seperate incident?
what kind of a deranged psycho would want to do that kind of thing? especially a 18-20 something year old boy...what possibly could have been going through his head...i agree that rapists should be castrated! people with intentions like that dont deserve the satisfaction of having a dick!

Neill Road is just behind eastwood Road where the attack took place so I would have thought it is the same one.

I always felt safe living there, although we did once find a stolen bag in our jennel (there was a payslip in it so we returned it to the employer - the bag belonged to a forum member actually and was taken from their living room whilst they were upstairs, then dumped when nothing of value was found IIRC...)

I live on neill rd just behind eastwood road and its scary walking home at night as the street lighting isnt too good.... i have always thought it to be quite a safe area though, even though not many areas are safe at the moment, but its quite a nice studenty area as as long as you dont walk near frog walk then you are safe, or so i thought.
It sickens me to think this man would get away with ruining someones life like this! Really hop they catch him

Rape is more about the rapist exercising his power over the person (male or female) that he is raping.

it's more a "power thing", than a "Sex thing".

PT

I understand your sentiment, but why the onus on us girls to "stay safe"? Surely we should be saying to men "don't rape"! I am not trying to belittle you or offend, I just think its about time we started educating men to have more respect for women. I know there are a small proportion of disturbed people for whom no amount of education will help, but it just upsets me that as women, we are supposed to take the responsibility for preventing rape.

I also would like to add that I agree with the description of the victim as "fresh faced" was insulting and unneccesary.

That, I am sorry to say, is the way that it is.
I don't want to see any woman (or in some cases men) have to deal with this but there are some men out there that think it's fine to behave like this.
I fully understand what you mean and would love to agree with you but it's a sad fact that it happens.
I am sure that most men would not rape a girl and further would attack a rapist to defend a girl but with the way things are you do need to protect yourselves as well.
Having seen the results of one rape and an attempted rape I can see how vile the crime is but some men out there just don't care and see women as objects to use as they wish.
As I said - stay safe.

Disgusting. The only word for it. If you ask me the jail term for rapists and paedophiles should be as long as murder. I hate to be insensetive to those who might be upset by me saying this but in effect a sex attacker is still taking someones life away; how can you go out and live you're life after you've experienced that sort of thing

Has the attacker been caught?

Disgusting. The only word for it. If you ask me the jail term for rapists and paedophiles should be as long as murder. I hate to be insensetive to those who might be upset by me saying this but in effect a sex attacker is still taking someones life away; how can you go out and live you're life after you've experienced that sort of thing

I agree. Although I doubt very much that the government would agree. And when you think about it, the jail term for murderers isn't that long really!

As for taking someones life away, it feels like that at first and for a long time afterwards, but you start to realise with a little bit of help that you have to carry on, because otherwise the rapist has won. They have the power because they are controlling your life. I'm not saying its easy to get over, it isn't, but you have to be strong or it takes over your life. One of the worse feelings is when something like this happens again, your always looking over your shoulder anyway but this makes it more real, because you know there is someone out there ready to do it again and its really scary.

I really hope that this evil piece of **** is caught soon and punished.

......I have to say that Eastwood Road is possibly one of the poorest-lit streets in the whole of this area of Sheffield.

Yet also possibly one of the most highly populated and busy roads in Sheffield (many multi occupancy houses) - 50 yards from the main Ecclesall rd. Now THATS scary - that someone could be attacked on a postage sized bit of grass at the side of the road near by the porter cottage and the lescar pubs :mad:

It's worse than that - it was on teh other side of the road between 2 parked cars, only a couple of metres in front of a living room window :(

People like that arent bothered where its done or how close they are to a house. They are sick in the head. These days people who might hear stuff or see stuff are scared to approach incase of repercussions.

A lot of you are taking this to where it shouldn't go, 'educating men', date rape etc. This scumbag is a murderer in waiting and no amount of education is going to help him. He is a control freak who wants to frighten, dominate, hurt and defile if he isn't caught soon we will propbably be able to add the word kill.

Those who have hijacked this thread to get their two penneth in on subjects other than the bloody violent rape of this young women are guilty of a great insult to her. Please try to remember that this is about her and not you, there will be ample opportunity on other threads to air your views.

Now if you don't mind me saying this on behalf of all Forum members get well soon luv and don't think that all guys are like him.

I wish that my 27 year old, strong as an ox, gentle as a lamb son had been around at the time, the scumbag would still be in intensive care.

Now listen up Forum members you have got a great tool in this Forum, post if you think that you have been followed, has anyone been hanging around, could you get a snap of them with your mobile? The police could solve this with your help.

what good is it going to be putting him intensive care?

Trust me, when I say I no what Im on about, It is better for the victim to know the scumbag is rotting in jail somewhere serving his time.

And I dont think people are hijacking this, people are genuinely concerned. You cant expect people to not be outraged by this.

Also I dont think its a good idea for people to post if they think they have been followed or anything else.They should phone the police straight away, and get the vile piece of **** off the streets before it happens again.

I can't believe something has happened, and it's so close to home. I regret arguing with my ex about safety when I use to walk just up the road to my home. I think you can never be too safe anywhere. =/[/QUOTE]

my name is rebbekah and im only young i wont tell you how old i am but my friend lives next door to me and i was invited round for abit just to hang out and her brother had a mate staying over night at my friends house he is 27 years old and when my friends brother had left the room his mate grabbed old of me and dragged me upstairs and raped me now i have to try and get on with my life i know how that young women feels i know i have experianced it and i agree with the statement you cant let the rapeist win, all i can say to women is to stay safe never walk alone because this happened in my friends house next door to me

It's worse than that - it was on teh other side of the road between 2 parked cars, only a couple of metres in front of a living room window :(

I hadn't read the post, just what I had heard - it beggars belief......

There was another horrifying incident a few years ago.

A student walking home in the early hours was dragged into the derelict church on cemetery rd and raped. She was then abducted – taken by car to another town, held hostage and repeatedly raped over a three or four day period. This ‘man’ eventually brought her back to Sheffield and chucked her out onto the pavement. He was caught and it turned out that he had only just come out of prison a few days before for a very similar crime – raping someone in a graveyard.

Apparently the police had been following him since his release but lost him…

Acts like this aren’t about sex, they are about power, control, humiliation, wilful degradation.

Hanging would be too good for them (to say the least)

i honestly dont understand why anyone would walk around this area of sheffield at night by themselves. hallam university frequently emails all students reporting attacks in this area, and there are screensavers and pop ups on the university computers telling students not to walk down frog walk, or in the area by themselves. i do not think that anyone ever deserves to be attacked or raped, and i do not think that anyone should be condemmed for the fact they were walking by themselves in such an area. the area should have better street lighting, and there should be some form of cctv in the area, especially as there does appear to be a lot of muggings and sexually motivated attacks in the area.