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Leicester attack: Third man arrested after woman left fighting for life in 'horrific' park sex assault

The woman was found critically injured at a children's play park in Leicester: Google
The woman was found critically injured at a children's play park in Leicester: Google

A third person has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and serious sexual assault after a "horrific" attack on a 50-year-old woman in Leicester.

The victim, aged in her 50s, was left fighting for life near a children's play park at 4.45am on August 3.

Leicestershire Police said a 24-year-old suspect, of no fixed address, was located in Stoke-on-Trent and subsequently arrested on Friday morning.

A 16-year-old boy and 56-year-old man have already been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and sexual assault and are now on bail.

The force said inquiries are continuing and the victim remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Speaking on Thursday before the arrest, Detective Inspector Mark Sinski, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime, said: "Our thorough and detailed investigation into what happened during the early hours of August 3 is continuing and there are still a number of lines of inquiry that we are following.

"Today, officers have been deployed to the area around the park to ensure that no stone remains unturned in our investigation.

"This has included searching drains in Cedar Road and the surrounding area to see whether anything can be recovered that will help us in catching the person responsible for this brutal attack."

He added: "We owe it to both the victim and the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to find the person responsible for this horrendous crime."

Detectives examined drains while plants were stripped back to allow officers to complete a comprehensive search of the area on Thursday.

Hundreds of leaflets were also handed out in and around Cedar Road calling for the public to help with an investigation into the assault.