Rapist attacked brain damaged woman

Police have set up an incident room

Police have revealed a man they are hunting in connection with a rape preyed on a mentally disabled woman.

The victim, who suffered brain damage as a result of meningitis in childhood, accepted a lift from the man while waiting for a bus in the Duddingston area of Edinburgh on Saturday.

Lothian and Borders police said she was driven through Holyrood Park towards the southern outskirts of the city, where the man twice stopped the car and sexually assaulted her, raping her the second time.

On Tuesday the inquiry was stepped-up by police as it was revealed the 42-year-old victim's brain damage could have left her more vulnerable to the man's advances.

Police are trying to unravel the motorist's route

Detective Sergeant Robin Turton, in charge of the investigation, said: "She is very capable of doing things for herself but is trusting of people.

"As long as people don't take advantage of her, she is alright."

He added: "We are still keen to hear from anyone that may be able to give us information about the attacker or the car he was driving."

Police said the victim was taken from the bus stop in Duddingston Road West at about 1920 BST and was dropped at the same spot at about 2130 BST.

She was unable to identify the exact spot where she was attacked.

The man, described as thin and in his 40s, had short brown hair and spoke with a local accent.

He wore a short-sleeved shirt or T-shirt and light coloured trousers.

His car was described as a dark-coloured hatchback or estate car which had a baby seat in the back.

Police have appealed for witnesses

Detectives believe the woman may have been persuaded to get into the car by the child seat and the man's friendly manner.

Det Sgt Turton said: "We still need to identify where the car was stopped on the two occasions that the victim was subjected to sexual assaults.

"We would appeal to drivers and pedestrians to cast their minds back to Saturday evening between the hours of 7.20pm and 9.30pm.

"Detectives feel sure that someone will have recognised the description of this man and the car he was in."

He added: "This was a very serious incident and we need to catch the culprit to prevent him offending again."

An incident room has now been set up at Leith police station to deal with the inquiry.