A 44-YEAR-OLD Morecambe woman was raped after being bundled into a car in broad daylight, dragged into a house and blindfolded with a pillow case. The woman had just left a phone box at the junction of Albert and Claremont Road when a man grabbed her from behind, pulled her into a car and yanked the hat she was wearing down over her face. He then drove for about 15 minutes before dragging her into the house and pushing her down the stairs. He laid her on a bed put a pillow case over her head and raped her.

The attacker then allowed her to dress before driving her back into Morecambe and pushing her out at Regent Road, Morecambe.

Police are not linking the rape with the increasing number of sex crimes in the resort over recent months.

Sgt Paul Denney of Lancaster CID said the woman was in a state of shock but had spent all day Tuesday talking to officers.

He said: "Obviously she is very distressed. He didn't use excessive violence but all rape is violent.

"We are taking this very seriously indeed and strongly urge any one who can help us at all to come forward."

Police are now urgently appealing for anyone who witnessed the woman being forced in the silver or white car at about noon or when she was freed at about 1pm. The woman wore a distinctive tartan coloured tea-cosy style hat and was using a walking stick. Anyone with any information should call Morecambe Police on 01524 63333.

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