An 18-year-old woman has been raped as she made her way to work on the outskirts of Glasgow.She was dragged into a lane and raped by a man she had earlier chatted to at a bus stop in Cross Arthurlie Street, Barrhead, at about 8.20am on Sunday.
The man later forced his victim to walk the streets until she managed to break free and run for help at a taxi office.
Det Ch Insp Iain Cunningham said the attack was “particularly brutal and harrowing” and appealed for witnesses.
Police officers took the woman to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where she received treatment and was later released.
She had been standing at a bus shelter near the Alpino chip shop when she was approached by a man who started talking to her.
She walked off but the man followed, dragged her into the lane and raped her.
Her attacker was last seen heading west in Chappell Street.
He was described as being a white male in his 30s, about 5ft 10in with short grey hair.
The suspect was wearing light-coloured clothing and possibly blue jeans.
Det Ch Insp Cunningham said he was particularly keen to speak to a taxi driver who was sitting in his car which was parked in Robertson Street.
He said the private hire taxi was possibly blue in colour.
It is believed the victim tried to attract his attention and he may have noticed her with her attacker before she made her escape.
Det Ch Insp Cunningham said he also wanted to speak to the driver of a dark Volkswagen Polo who was parked in Chappell Street and a man accompanied by a young boy who was leaning into the car talking to the driver at about the time the young woman broke free.
“This was a particularly brutal and harrowing attack on an innocent young woman who was heading for work,” he said.
“I am anxious to speak to anyone who saw the victim or has any information whatsoever that could help us trace this man, to contact the CID at Barrhead Police Office.
“He forced her to walk round a few streets after the attack and although the streets would have been relatively quiet at this time, someone, perhaps looking out of their windows, may have noticed them.”
Anyone with information should contact Barrhead police office on 0141 532 6263 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.