A MOTHER was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault after being abducted in Whitefield and forced to drive to Birmingham.

The 45-year-old woman was travelling towards Bury when her black Hyundai Lantra was caught up in standing traffic on Bury New Road, Whitefield, close to McDonald's restaurant, around 7.25am on Friday (Sept 21).

Police say that her 100-mile ordeal began when an Asian man, aged between 20 and 30, got into the back of the vehicle and threatened her.

The woman, who is married with children, was ordered to go back to the M60 and she performed a U-turn through the central reservation to head towards the motorway. Her attacker, who was carrying an unspecified weapon, then ordered her to drive towards Birmingham. As they passed the RAC control centre on the M6, the man told the woman to take the M5.

A short time later, either at junction one or two, he told her to leave the motorway. They then drove to a secluded area with trees and fields nearby where he sexually assaulted the woman.

Police said that he then forced her to drive further along the M5 before getting out of the car on the motorway hard shoulder. He left the car and ran up an embankment. The woman drove on for another ten minutes before pulling over and calling the emergency services. She has now been released from hospital.

Police travelled down to the West Midlands to interview the victim after the attack. She was said to be "traumatised".

Her attacker was aged between 20 and 30, around 5ft 7in, slim with short dark hair with a side parting. He had a neat moustache, was wearing a dark sweatshirt and spoke with an Asian accent.

Detective Inspector Jane Antrobus of Whitefield CID said: "This was an extremely nasty attack and it is vital that anyone who saw any part of this incident comes forward and speaks to the police."

DI Antrobus went on: "Someone must have seen this man climb into the back of the car as it was stopped on the A56, or a motorist driving towards the M60 may have seen the woman performing the U-turn through the central reservation.

"Although this was a serious incident, I would like to re-assure women that this kind of offence is extremely rare. But as a general safety rule it is important that female motorists keep their doors locked while in standing traffic and be alert to their surroundings."

Anyone with information can contact the CID on 856 8243.