A woman fought-off a suspected sex attacker who threatened her with a knife and attempted to drag her into bushes in Wildcroft Road, Putney, last Friday night.

The 33 year old, from Putney, has been praised for her bravery after she struggled with the man who grabbed her at around 11.10pm saying he would stab her if she didn't stop screaming.

She managed to break free and her attacker, described as black and in his early 20s, fled down Wildcroft Road towards the Green Man pub on Putney Heath.

Police are trying to establish whether he had been lying in wait for a potential victim in Wildcroft, a quiet road cutting across the heath, or if he had taken a bus from Tottenham Court Road with her waiting until she got off to carry out the attack.

The woman's ordeal began when she heard footsteps and turned to see a man running along the opposite side of the road towards her.

He then crossed the road and asked her the time and, before she was able to reply, grabbed her and covered her mouth.

Despite threats he would stab her, the woman continued to scream and fight until he fled.

DC Mike Moore, of Wandsworth CID, is eager to trace anyone who may have been on the number 14 bus, or was in the area at the time.

He said: "This was an extremely serious incident, but it may have been more so had it not been for the bravery of the woman involved. We are appealing to anyone who may have been in the vicinity at the time or may have seen this man acting suspiciously. He used violence and threatening language and we believe the motive of this attack was sexual."

DC Moore said the man, who is described as 5ft 6in with a slim build, had plenty of time to rob the woman but didn't and may well have local knowledge, as he chose a particularly quiet place to strike.

Call Wandsworth CID on 020 8247 8805 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

November 23, 2001 10:30