A LAWYER assaulted by a serial sex attacker plaguing women in Manchester admits she is petrified to return to the city.

The victim, in her 20s, was the last-known victim of the sexual predator, known to have struck 23 times in 18 months in the Northern Quarter.

She was seriously sexually assaulted near Dale Street at around 9pm on May 13 as thousands of Glasgow Rangers began arriving in Manchester for the Uefa Cup Final the next day.

Her attacker was captured on CCTV stalking her on Dale Street moments before he struck.

Now she has appealed through the M.E.N, for the public to help catch the menace before he strikes again.

"What he did was absolutely disgusting," she said. "What worries me is how many other times he has done it, and I ask myself whether he has done anything even worse.

"I won't come into Manchester any more unless I have to. I've moved away from the area.

"It's changed a lot. You want to talk to people because you are scared. It's such a difficult area. It's embarrassing, but it shouldn't be.

Angry

"I'm angry, very angry with him. He's obviously shown no remorse for what he's done. He's not got a care for anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if it got worse."

The victim admitted she was `really, really frustrated' when police told her the attacker had struck many more times. Describing it as `the perfect crime', she warned women in the city centre to be on guard.

She added: "Be extremely cautious. Look over your shoulder. If you are unfortunate and he does something to you, get a good look at him if you can because the more people who positively identify him, the more chance of getting him.

"People who know anything about this, if they have any moral decency or standards, should come forward if they can. He's turned people's lives upside down for his own sick enjoyment."

Describing the incident, she said: "I didn't notice anyone behind me. I was speaking to a friend on my mobile at the time.

"I was walking down the road and someone grabbed me. It happened quite fast. I turned round to shout at him. That's when I got a good view of him.

"People have asked why I didn't run, but I was so shocked. I was thinking, `What else can he do to me?' As I turned to walk away I was still on the phone and then I realised the awful thing he had done. I went round the corner and dialled 999. I was screaming `No!'"

Police say the net is closing on the attacker thanks to the discovery of `key forensic evidence', but detectives still need help from the public. Officers are trawling records back to 2005 to establish if he may be responsible for more attacks and suspect other victims have not reported incidents.

He is known to have struck 23 times against girls and women aged 13 to 43, the last time on May 23. Most attacks happened between 7am and 8am, but the last five were between 4.30pm and 9.15pm.

Det Chief Insp Joanne Rawlinson, of Manchester's Grey Mare Lane CID, told the M.E.N: "These are very serious sexual assaults. The victims have been very badly affected.

"Three women have been attacked more than once. Typically, he follows his victims and then lies in wait. This man poses a serious risk. We need help from the public.

"People should not worry about naming the wrong man, because we have forensic evidence which can be used to rule out anybody else."

The attacker is described as in his late 20s to mid 30s, 5ft 6in to 5ft 10in, of slim to medium build, with short dark hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 3240 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Click here to see CCTV footage of the suspected attacker