Woman sexually assaulted on highway

Police are on the hunt for a man who sexually assaulted a woman about 8 o’ clock last evening (July 5) near the ‘Pasea Place’ building along Sir Francis Drake Highway, Tortola.

Law enforcers launched a probe after a well-known photographer claimed publicly that his wife was the victim, adding that women using the area especially after nightfall should exercise caution.

“Warning for all the ladies that generally go for their evening walk [in the area]… Some guy just try to abuse my wife sexually – held her from behind,” the photographer said last evening in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, a source with intimate knowledge of the incident told BVI News Online that the offender attacked the woman while she was making her way home from the direction of Road Town.

“He did it as cars passed by. She tried to stop the vehicles, but no one stopped to see what was going on,” the source said.

“The offender held her from behind, put his hand in the area of her breast, and tried to lift her dress up. She forced her way to the ground and called for help.”

According to the source, another woman got wind of what was happening and rushed to help the victim of the attack. “The lady who went to help was on the opposite side of the road when she heard her (the victim’s) cry, and ran to her assistance.”

The woman who was assaulted was taken to Peebles Hospital because she was in a state of shock.

Further reports to BVI News Online are that members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force were ‘quick’ on the scene. But, by that time, the offender already managed to escape.

“The offender is short, of medium build, and was wearing a white polo shirt and red short pants,” the civilian source told BVI News Online while appealing for anyone with information to pass it on to law enforcers. “Anyone who might have seen this guy running in the direction of Road Town can speak with the police,” the source further said, adding that action should be taken regarding two malfunctioning streetlights in the area where the incident happened.

“Two street lights are missing in that area; so I am asking the Minister of Communication and Works Mark Vanterpool to have them fixed as well.”