Woman raped at knifepoint after giving man change in Islington

A woman in her late 50s was raped at knifepoint after giving a man her spare change in a a 'horrific' Islington assault. The Metropolitan Police say the woman was confronted by a man who asked her for some money in an alley off Essex Road on Thursday (1 September).

The force says that after handing the man her spare change, the woman was grabbed by the shoulder and pushed into Heddingham Close, from where flats can be accessed. It was here that the assailant pulled out a knife and raped her.

When the man finished he emptied the valuables from her bag onto the floor and fled the scene on foot.

The victim was said to be "very traumatised" by the shocking assault which happened between 11.30pm and 12.20am.

The victim was taken to a specialist care unit after reporting the attack.

DC Sarah Hunter, of the Met's sexual offences unit, said it was a "callous attack".

"This was a horrific attack on a woman who had stopped to help a stranger when he asked her for some change," she said. "My team are keen to hear from anyone who has information that can assist the investigation."

She continued: "This was a callous attack which has left the victim very traumatised."

No arrests have been made. Met police said the suspect is described as a dark-skinned black man, between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 6ins, of medium build and in dark clothing. He is thought to be between 30-40 years old.