Taxi Driver Online

Evening News (Edinburgh)

November 22, 2007, Thursday

Rape case police in forensics find

DETECTIVES investigating the rape of a woman behind the Playhouse Theatre have recovered forensic samples which they hope will provide a DNA profile of the attacker.

Scientists are understood to be testing the samples in a bid to recover a profile which could be checked against the national criminal database.

Officers are also working with bars and nightclubs in the area to identify the suspect who assaulted the 27-year-old in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim had left CC Blooms nightclub on Greenside Place at 2.45am and was waiting at the taxi rank beside the Omni Centre when the suspect befriended her.

She walked down Greenside Lane with the man, who then raped her. Police want to speak to a good Samaritan who consoled the distraught woman after she made it back to the street.

The north African man accompanied her back to her home in a taxi before she reported the rape to police. Officers are combing through CCTV footage from bars and nightclubs in the area, as well as street security cameras run by the council. Taxi drivers who were nearby are also being contacted as part of the inquiry.

Detective Sergeant Peter Traynor, who is leading the investigation, appealed for potential witnesses to come forward.

He said: "The taxi rank was very busy so many people could have seen the victim and the man we are looking for. We've already had someone contact us who was in the rank, but we need everyone there to get in touch. We would also appeal to the good Samaritan to get in contact with police."

Buses passing the scene around the time of the assault are also being traced as their front-facing cameras may have captured crucial images. Detectives plan to re-interview the victim in a bid to build up a more detailed picture of events and to create an e-fit image.

Detective Constable Stephen Clark added: "The victim made her way back on to the street in a significant amount of distress. She was found by a good Samaritan, who consoled her and helped her find a taxi.

"The victim is doing well considering the trauma of her ordeal. She is being comforted by family and friends."

The attack took place as the city was packed with drinkers who had earlier watched Scotland's defeat to Italy in the Euro 2008 decider.

The suspect spoke broken English with a foreign accent. He is described as black, 20 to 30 years, 5ft 8in, of medium build, with a goatee beard, and wearing a cream-coloured jumper with horizontal stripes and blue jeans.

The man who helped the victim following the assault is described as north African, 5ft 10in, medium build with an Afro haircut, and wearing a beige jacket and scarf, jeans and carrying a satchel.
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