Police release CCTV of man they want to trace after 'frightening' attack on NHS doctor in east London

Imogen Braddick8 May 2020
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Police have released CCTV footage of a man they want to trace after an NHS doctor was attacked on her way home from work.

The 37-year-old victim, who has not been named, was taken to hospital with cuts, bruising and injuries to her mouth, including a broken tooth, after she was pushed to the ground from behind.

Scotland Yard said there is nothing to suggest the doctor was targeted because she worked for the NHS and are keeping an open mind about the motive for the attack.

Her attacker had been following her since she boarded a train at the Shadwell Docklands Light Railway (DLR) station in east London on the evening of April 17.

She tried to lose the man by getting off in Canning Town before reboarding, but he mirrored her movements and was still tailing her when she disembarked at Royal Victoria station.

The man police want to identify in connection with the attack
Met Police

Police said she asked two strangers to walk with her but was approached from behind and pushed to the ground in Butchers Road, while she was on the phone to police, after they parted ways.

Detectives have released CCTV footage of a man they want to identify in connection with the assault.

The suspect is described as a black man, aged around 20, who was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a grey hooded top under a dark jacket and a dark cap at the time of the attack.

Police also want to speak to any witnesses, including the two men who walked with the victim.

Detective Constable Alister Kim said: “We have no reason to believe that the victim in this case was targeted specifically because she was a doctor or working for the NHS.

“However, we would urgently seek the public’s help in identifying this man. The victim was subjected to a frightening ordeal, having been followed along the transport network by this suspect who did not leave her alone, even after she sought help from members of the public and made a call to police.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen any part of this incident, either at Shadwell DLR station, on the DLR itself, or when the victim got off and walked to Butchers Road from Royal Victoria station.

“Or did you perhaps see the actions of the victim as she got off and back on the train at Canning Town, followed by the suspect?

"In particular we are very keen to speak to the two witnesses who helped the victim on her journey home.

“CCTV footage shows a man walking in Commercial Road near its junction with Sidney Street prior to the incident. If anyone recognises this man I would urge them to get in touch.”

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 reference CAD 6121/17 Apr, tweet @MetCC or contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.

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