Woman raped at knifepoint in home

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/6280620.stm

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A woman was raped at knifepoint in her home while her two young children slept nearby, police have said.

The attack happened on Friday night after the victim answered a knock at the back door of her home in Mossley, Greater Manchester.

A man armed with a knife pushed his way into the kitchen and forced the woman upstairs where he attacked her.

Police said the woman was left "deeply traumatised" and have urged women in the area to take extra care.

'Sickening' ordeal

Police said the victim struggled with the man and he briefly dropped the knife, enabling her to bite him on the hand.

But the man picked the knife back up, forced her upstairs and raped her before leaving.

As well as being left in shock the woman suffered a cut to her neck during the ordeal although her children were unharmed.

Det Insp Mike Mangan, of Greater Manchester Police described the attack as a "sickening ordeal" for the woman.

"There is no need for people to panic, but we are asking people to be vigilant with your personal safety at all times, especially women.

"This type of attack is extremely unusual and we want to reassure the residents of Mossley that we are doing all we can to catch this man."

The attacker is described as white, about 5ft 11ins tall, aged in his 30s, with a slender build and a scruffy, unshaven face. He spoke with a local accent was wearing a dark waterproof jacket with the hood up.