CCTV clue in vicious laneway attack
Police have released CCTV footage and an image of a man suspected of violently attacking a young woman in a Melbourne laneway in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It has also emerged that the 23-year-old victim had been returning home from celebrating the birth of her first child when the attack happened.
She gave birth two months ago and was out in the city for the first time with her friends when a stranger started following her on her walk home alone.
Police say the man stalked her for about a kilometre into North Melbourne, then dragged her into a laneway where she was punched, kicked and sexually assaulted.
Her screams alerted nearby residents, prompting the man to flee with her handbag.
Detective Inspector Paul Binyon said the attack in the early hours of Sunday morning could have been fatal if not for those witnesses hearing her cries.
"There's no doubt that this was a brutal attack, but we are fortunate that she is still here with us," he told reporters.
Police released CCTV footage on Tuesday that shows a person of interest wanted over the attack.
The footage shows an unshaven man in a black leather jacket, jeans, white runners and a hat who had been walking in the area.
The woman's black handbag is still missing.
She was released from hospital on Tuesday after undergoing surgery for her serious injuries.
The attacker has been described as being of Asian or Indian sub-continental appearance, in his mid twenties, with cropped dark hair, a medium build and is around 170 to 175 centimetres tall.
He was last seen wearing a black open leather jacket and blue jeans.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
