Stoke Newington sex attack stabbing: Police seek witnesses who travelled on same bus as victim

The second witness police would like to speak to (Image: police)

They are also appealing for a third man to come forward following the attack in the early hours of April 9, when a woman was left fighting for her life after being knifed multiple times in Rectory Road at the junction with Evering Road.

The victim boarded a N253 bus at just before 3am in Mare Street at the junction with Well Street heading towards Clapton.

The suspected attacker was also travelling on the same bus and got on at the same stop as the victim.

One potential witness police want to speak to is a woman with blonde hair who got on the bus at the same time as the victim and sat next to her on the top deck.

A second potential witness police would also like to trace was already on the bus, and got off at the same time as the victim and suspect. He walked in the same direction as the victim from Upper Clapton Road and along Brooke Road towards Evering Road.

A third potential witness rode a bicycle north up Rectory Road at 3.20am and approached the victim shortly after the attack.

Police believe he may have been in The Bagel House in Stoke Newington High Street just before the incident took place.

Sabir Mohammed Sharif, 32, of Well Street, has been charged with attempted murder and attempted rape.

Det Insp Neil Rawlinson, who is leading the investigation, said: “None of these potential witnesses may have been fully aware of what happened that night. We would urgently appeal for these people to come forward and speak to police.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call 0208 733 5999, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.