Man 'on prowl' before two sex attacks in Glasgow street
Police say a man who raped a woman and sexually assaulted another in Glasgow may have prowled the streets for an hour before selecting his victims.
A 20-year-old woman was raped on James Watt Street, near to Broomielaw, in the city centre, at 04:00 on Wednesday.
Less than half an hour later a 22-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on the same street.
Police are hunting a white man, aged between 20 to 30 years old, over what they said were "despicable attacks".
The suspect in both incidents is between 5ft 8in and 5ft 10in tall, with a slim-to-medium build. He had light or brown hair and spoke with a local accent.
At the time of the assaults he was smartly dressed, wearing a fitted dark-coloured long sleeved shirt, light or possibly grey-coloured dress trousers and shoes.
Strathclyde Police said it looked like he had been on a Christmas night out and had been prowling the streets for an hour before he selected his victims.
Both women were attacked while walking home from separate nights out in the city centre.
They have been left traumatised by the attacks and are being supported by specially trained sexual offences liaison officers.
Det Insp Kate Jamieson, who is in charge of the investigation, said: "These two separate incidents took place within a short space of time on James Watt Street.
"We are currently examining CCTV and carrying out extensive inquiries to identify the man responsible for these despicable attacks on two young women.
"I would appeal to anyone who was in or around the James Watt Street area of Glasgow around 04:00 hours this morning and who may have seen a man hanging around or noticed anything out of the ordinary to contact officers as soon as possible."
James Watt Street was sealed off between Argyle Street and Broomielaw while searches took place but has since reopened.
An incident room has been set up in Glasgow city centre police office.
Det Insp Jamieson added: "I would also ask anyone who can help identify this man to contact us as a matter of urgency."