Woman Tells Of Her Sex Attack Ordeal

A woman in a wheelchair who was indecently assaulted by a man posing as a doctor yesterday spoke for the first time about her ordeal.

The 37-year-old, who broke her back after falling in her house and suffers from arthritis, was attacked in her home in Southhouse, Edinburgh, in broad daylight. The bogus doctor showed his victim what appeared to be his identification badge, so she let him in.

He carried out a cursory examination before indecently assaulting her. He then left the house and drove off in a black car, described as having a rounded roof.

The victim said: “I would never have let anyone in the house unless I knew they were coming but he showed me his identification badge and from what I could see from out of the window I just presumed he would be genuine. There are people you trust in this world and a doctor is one of them.

“He had the proper equipment like the stethoscope, which he used on my back and front. He then started to touch my leg and then what he did afterwards I thought it did not feel right. I felt disgusted.

“This is not someone you can trust. I did not want to say anything in case he got rough or violent. He must have known I could not fight him off. I think he is sick.”

The woman has been confined to a wheelchair since her fall. The victim was described as being particularly vulnerable. She said: “One day I fell coming out of the bathroom. That was the day my whole life changed completely. When the ambulance came they told me I had broken my back.

“I was told in hospital that there could be a chance I might be able to walk or I could be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I tried lots of physio to try to get myself walking again but it was just impossible.”

Lothian and Borders Police said the incident, which happened around 11.30am on February 28, was a callous attack. Detective Sergeant Colin Fordyce said: “This man was claiming to be a doctor and it’s possible from the language he used that he may work or have have worked in the medical profession.”

The victim’s interview was on Crimewatch last night and an e-fit of the suspect was shown. The attacker is described as white, 35 to 45 years old and of thin build. He was clean shaven, short, with dark hair and spoke with an Edinburgh accent. He wore a navy-coloured suit, white shirt, black tie and was carrying a deep, black leather bag.