Police have re-issued an appeal for witnesses following a knifepoint sexual assault on a mother-to-be in Horsforth .

The victim, a 31 year old local woman, lost her baby following the attack, which took place at about 6.40am on Sunday, July 22, as she was walking down a ginnel between Broadgate Walk and Broadgate Lane.

West Yorkshire Police have since carried out door-to-door inquiries and increased patrols in the area.

But Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Morgan is also urging residents to come forward with information.

Det Chief Insp Morgan, from the force’s homicide and major inquiry team, said: “Despite the incident taking place early on a Sunday morning there would still have been a number of people in the area, perhaps walking a dog, picking up a paper or catching a bus.

“I would appeal to people to cast their minds back and speak to us if they saw anything.”

A white man in his 40s had approached the woman and asked her for the time before pushing her against a wall and pulling at her trousers. The victim fought back but her attacker threatened with a knife and cut her stomach.

She was treated in hospital and released on the same day. Her attacker, described as an unkempt man of medium build with short dark hair and stubble, eventually fled in the direction of Broadgate Lane.

He was wearing blue jeans, a blue denim jacket, and a dark-coloured T-shirt with a white-lined pattern.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 or, anonymously and in confidence, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.