Police warn after fifth sexual assault

Detectives fear a serial sex attacker may be responsible for a brutal knife attack on a 17-year-old girl.

Detectives fear a serial sex attacker may be responsible for a brutal knife attack on a 17-year-old girl.

Five young women have been sexually assaulted in and around Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, since last year. The latest victim was stabbed in the back after her ordeal, on Sunday night.

At a news conference yesterday, Police said that the attacker "must be caught soon". They warned women in the town to be on their guard.

Officers have stepped up patrols in the area following the attack. Detective Superintendent Simon Chesterman of Thames Valley Police said: "The description of Sunday night's attacker appears consistent with that of the person involved in similar attacks."

The 17-year-old girl was walking through an underpass between the Bean Hill and Netherfield estates at 8.30pm when she was attacked.

She was dragged into bushes, sexually assaulted, then stabbed in the back "for no reason", police said. The victim was still in hospital yesterday recovering from her injuries after the knife penetrated her back and struck a rib.

The attacker was described as white, aged 30 to 40 and overweight. He had short greying hair, was wearing a hooded top, and was thought to be a smoker.