Two attacks in two hours

A MAN is seriously ill in hospital today after being attacked by a gang of six men just 500 yards away and an hour after woman was subjected to a terrifying sex attack.

Attack one: Between 12.45 and 1.10am on Sunday three men chase a woman into St Helen's Street before one attacks her, cuts her dress off with a knife and tries to rape her.

Attack two: An hour later, and just around the corner in Grove Lane, six men set about a man with a stick leaving him fighting for his life in hospital.

Although police said today the length of time between the two is relatively long and may well mean they are not connected, detectives were today investigating the possibility.

The 21-year-old victim of the second assault was left with head and arm injuries and was transferred from Ipswich Hospital to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where his condition is described as stable.

Witnesses described seeing between four and six men with the victim and saw him being assaulted with what they thought was a stick.

The victim was seen to fall to the ground but momentarily got up and walked down Grove Lane before collapsing again.

Detective Inspector Darrin Tomkins who is overseeing this investigation said: “We are appealing to anyone else who we haven't as yet spoken to, who was in the area and witnessed this assault to come forward - your call could help us to identify and locate these attackers.”

“On the advice of medical staff we haven't been able to speak to the victim yet to obtain his account of the attack, once we have spoken we may have a clearer picture of what happened on the night.”

Because police have not yet spoken to the victim they have been unable to determine the motive for the attack.

One of the attackers was seen to run to a nearby house and knock on the door, when the door was not answered, he and the remaining men ran off along Grove Lane, in the direction of Foxhall Road.

The first offender, who was seen to be carrying the weapon, is described as white, around 5ft 8in and of average build.

He was in his late teens to early 20s, wore a grey hooded top, with the hood up, dark jeans or trousers and dark trainers.

He also wore a denim style jacket over the top of his hooded top.

The other males within the group were of a similar age, all wearing either hooded tops or baseball caps and dark clothing.

Anyone who was in the area and witnessed this assault or has information in relation to this incident are asked to Dc Tonya Antonis at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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