Police hunt serial sex attacker

One of the attacks took place in the Cowcaddens Underground underpass

Detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to trace in connection with five indecent assaults carried out in one night.

The victims, aged between 20 and 30, were attacked in Glasgow on Thursday over the space of just 90 minutes.

The footage, taken from the Cambridge Street area of the city, shows a man police believe was in the area around the time of the incidents.

The suspect was in his late teens or early 20s and was wearing a hooded top.

Strathclyde Police have confirmed that they are linking the attacks on all the women.

The first incident took place at about 1815 BST, when a 26-year-old woman was walking in the underpass outside Cowcaddens Underground station. She was approached from behind by a man who pushed her to the ground then indecently assaulted her.

Due to the times of the incidents, it appears that the suspect has covered a fairly significant area over a relatively short period of time Det Sgt Alan Brown Strathclyde Police

The second attack has not yet been reported by the victim but it was witnessed by others. It happened about 15 minutes later in Hope Street at Bath Lane, where the woman was approached from behind by a man who grabbed her then indecently assaulted her.

The third assault took place at about 1900 BST in Bank Street, Kelvinbridge, where a 31-year-old woman was grabbed from behind by a man who dragged her along the street towards the junction of Cowan Street and Bank Street then threw her to the ground. The woman managed to escape and the suspect ran off.

The fourth victim, a 30-year-old woman, was indecently assaulted twice. The first time happened in Great Western Road at its junction with Kersland Street at about 1915 BST when she was approached from behind.

Assaulted twice

The man then ran off in the direction of the Hillhead Steps but about five minutes later he again approached the woman from behind, grabbed her and indecently assaulted her.

The final incident, involving a 20-year-old woman, took place at about 1945 BST in Lancaster Terrace Lane. She was approached from behind by a man who attempted to drag her into a nearby alleyway.

The suspect pushed her to the ground and attempted to indecently assault her but she managed to get away.

Det Sgt Brown said: "As a result of our initial enquiries, I can confirm that we are treating these as linked incidents and believe that the same man is responsible for each one.

"Although the nature of the attacks is a major cause for concern, luckily none of the women assaulted by this man required any medical attention - but they are all badly shaken.

"The woman who was assaulted in Hope Street hasn't yet come forward to report any details of the attack to police, and I would urge her to do so as a matter of urgency."

He added: "Due to the times of the incidents, it appears that the suspect has covered a fairly significant area over a relatively short period of time and therefore a main line of enquiry will focus on the possible routes and modes of transport that he has used."

He urged any witnesses who had not already come forward to contact police.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman confirmed that the attacks were not being linked to the murder of Moira Jones, whose body was found in Queens Park last week. She had been sexually assaulted.

Officers have asked anyone with any information to contact them on 0141 532 3014 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.