DETECTIVES investigating a serious sexual assault on a sex worker in Leeds have released CCTV images of the suspect.

The victim, a woman in her thirties, was attacked in Holbeck Park at about 4am on Wednesday, May 5.

She had met the suspect and gone to a wooded area of the park next to the M621 when he produced a knife and made threats before sexually assaulting her.

He was described as black, stocky build, with short afro hair twisted into little balls. He was around 30-years-old, with brown eyes and a flat nose. He was wearing a mask and had his hood up.

He was described as having a foreign accent and was thought by the victim to be African.

Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team have been carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the man and are now in a position to release CCTV images of the man involved taken from a nearby shop.

Other CCTV from the area shows him with a bicycle.

A man was previously arrested over this incident but has since been eliminated from the investigation.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson, said: “We have been carrying out detailed and wide-ranging enquiries over the weeks since this attack but are now asking for the public’s help to identify this man.

“We are treating this incident very seriously and continuing to support the victim.

“Although the suspect’s face is partially covered by a mask and not clear on the images, we are hopeful someone will recognise him.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen him in the area around the time of the incident or who has any other information that could assist the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Paperlock, crime reference 13210220774, or online via westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.