Sex attack gunman tied woman up at North Lanarkshire farm
Police are hunting a man who tied a woman up at gunpoint in her North Lanarkshire home and sexually assaulted her before stealing her BMW car.
The attack happened at a farm in Salsburgh, near Shotts, at 08:30 on 5 September. Police released details after weeks of "covert inquiries".
The 32-year-old victim did not require hospital treatment but was left traumatised by the experience.
Police are now talking to motorists in Plains where the BMW car was abandoned.
The man was wearing tights to cover his face when he entered the woman's home and threatened her with a gun.
He demanded money before sexually assaulting her and fleeing in the family car.
The suspect is described as about 5ft 8in tall with a stocky build.
At the time of the attack he was wearing a green army-style jumper with patches on the elbows and heavy boots.
Police said he also had a "noticeable beer belly".
Officers are now talking to motorists in the nearby village of Plains, near Airdrie, where the woman's BMW car was found abandoned.
They want to see if anyone remembers anything from 5 September which could help the investigation.
Det Insp David McFall said: "The victim of this terrifying but thankfully rare incident has been left traumatised by the events which took place in her home.
"In the nine weeks since the incident took place we have carried out extensive and sensitive inquiries to identify the person responsible for this attack which has meant we were not in a position to go public until today with details of the assault and robbery.
"However, I would like to reassure the public that I have no doubt this was a specifically targeted attack on the family.
"I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the stolen black BMW on the morning of Thursday September 5 driving from Salsburgh to the Plains area.
"I would also like to speak to anyone who has any information on this attack or who can identify the man responsible.
"I would particularly ask people who live or work near to Salsburgh to get in touch if they remember anyone suspicious in their area around 5 September 2013."