Manhunt launched after 'horrific' Northampton rape

Police today released an artist's impression of a man thought to have subjected a woman to a horrific two-hour rape ordeal.

The 22-year-old Chinese woman was picked up outside a nightclub in Northampton in the early hours of Saturday before she was driven to a secluded spot and raped several times.

Police are looking for a man described as black or mixed race, between 5ft 5in and 5ft 9in tall, in his early 20s and of slim build.

He had shoulder-length pleated or dreadlocked hair that was swept back, small eyes and distinctively thick lips, police said.

The victim was picked up by the man at about 3am in Bridge Street, where she was sat on a pavement after leaving NBs nightclub feeling unwell.

Police said she was approached by the man who took her to his car - thought to be a light-coloured four-door saloon - before driving her to a "dead end location" where there were no buildings but a surrounding of iron railings.

She was raped three times in the car before being dropped back in Northampton town centre at around 5.15am, police said.

Officers are examining CCTV footage from the town centre but are also urging anyone with any information to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Oliver, of the major investigations team, said: "We have received some information from members of the public about this incident, however, I would appeal for anyone who may recognise the description of this man to contact us as a matter of urgency.

"I would particularly like to speak to anyone who may have seen this man, described as black or of dual heritage,

"I would like to speak to anyone who may have seen a man matching this description in the town centre, either on his own or as part of a group, between 10pm on Friday night and 3.30am on Saturday morning, particularly in Bridge Street, the Drapery and the St Peter's Way car parks area.

"Although we have been contacted by a number of people about this incident, I would urge anyone who may believe they have any information about this incident, no matter how irrelevant they think it may be, to contact us as soon as possible.

"This was a very serious incident and it is vital that any witnesses come forward with any information that will assist us in our inquiries."