Hunt for horrific ‘grunting gimp man’ in ‘full black rubbery suit’ who attacked woman during late-night walk through rural Somerset village
- Woman was accosted by man in a ‘black rubber gimp costume’ last Thursday
- He jumped out and ‘charged at her’ in dark lane in Claverham, Somerset
- Police confirmed they are stepping up patrols to ensure the public is safe
- Did YOU witness mysterious ‘gimp man’ or know his identity? Email joseph.curtis@mailonline.co.uk
Police have launched a hunt for ‘terrifying’ man in a ‘black rubbery gimp suit’ who accosted a woman late at night.
The victim, aged in her 20s, was walking in a small lane in Claverham, Somerset, when the man jumped out and charged at her ‘while grunting and breathing heavily’.
She then pushed him away when he stepped forward and screamed, prompting him to flee the scene.
The woman said she was ‘hugely affected’ by the incident and wants to warn others so the culprit can be caught before it happens again.
A woman in Claverham, Somerset, took this picture of the stranger who ‘charged at her’ while wearing a ‘rubber gimp costume’
She told the BBC: ‘It’s not just a man jumping out at me going “boo”. Every time I close my eyes I just see that face.’
The woman, who was able to get a picture of the man, added: ‘I would never forgive myself if this happened to someone else and I hadn’t said anything.’
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they had received reports of a man jumping out at people in the Claverham area and that patrols were being stepped up to ensure public safety.
A spokesman said: ‘We’re aware of concerns relating to a man acting suspiciously in the Claverham/Yatton area.
‘While we’re keeping an open mind about the motive for these incidents, it’s clear the individual responsible is deliberately attempting to cause alarm to the men and women he’s approaching.
‘While no one has been hurt during the incidents, we fully appreciate the distress these actions have caused victims.’