Officers investigating serious sexual assault of woman in Glasgow appeal to trace key witness

Police Scotland continue to investigate a report that a 21-year-old woman was the victim of a serious sexual assault in Glasgow city centre last week.

The incident took place in the vicinity of Sauchiehall Street and Sauchiehall Lane just after midnight on Wednesday, 9 June, 2021.

Over the past week detectives have been conducting detailed enquiries and undertaken an extensive review of CCTV footage.

As a result of this, officers are seeking to trace a woman who spoke with the victim outside the Boots store at the Charing Cross end of Sauchiehall Street, near to Glasgow Dental Hospital. They spoke for a period of around 15 minutes around 12.30am.

The woman is described as aged between 30 – 40-year-old, with shoulder length reddish-blond hair. She was wearing an orange/rust-coloured jumper, black three-quarter length trousers, purple socks and black trainers. She was carrying a dark-coloured rucksack over both shoulders and also a white shoulder bag with the word “CASTLE” printed on it.

Detective Inspector Stella McCulloch from the National Rape Taskforce said: “Our enquiries remain ongoing into this very serious incident and as part of this we are especially keen to trace this woman. We believe she spoke to the victim in the doorway of the Sauchiehall Street Boots store and offered her assistance. I believe she may have information that is vital to our enquiry and would appeal to her to come forward.

“Despite the time of night we do know the city centre area was reasonably busy with passing traffic and pedestrians. Anyone who may have seen the interaction between these two women in Sauchiehall Street, or either the witness or victim around the time of the incident, is asked to contact officers to help our enquiry.”

The suspect for this incident is described as being a man, 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build, aged in his thirties or forties. He had dark facial stubble and was wearing dark coloured clothing.

Chief Inspector Ross Kelly, Local Area Commander for Glasgow City Centre, said: "We understand this impact this incident has had on both the victim and the wider community and we are continuing to pursue extensive enquiries in this investigation.

"I would urge anyone who has any information which may assist to contact police on 101 and quote incident number 0250 of 9 June 2021. An anonymous report can also be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”