Canley sex attacker 'traced by blood' on victim's jacket

Police have praised the "great courage" of a sex assault victim in Coventry whose quick-thinking led to the "early arrest" of a suspect.

West Midlands Police said they used fast track forensic analysis after the university student, who is in her 20s, was attacked in Canley on Saturday.

Evidence from a drop of blood on the back of her jacket led to the arrest of a 43-year-old man on Wednesday.

He was remanded in custody at Coventry Magistrates' Court until 31 August.

The woman was walking in De Montford Way at around 22:30 BST on Saturday when the man approached her from behind and placed his hand over her mouth.

She was pinned to the floor but fended the man off and bit down on his finger which has been fractured, police said.

Det Sgt Jim Edmonds, from Coventry Policing unit, said: "In this case the rapid submission of forensic evidence, plus securing CCTV and witness evidence, led to an early arrest.

"It has ensured a dangerous man has been taken off the streets."

Mr Edmonds added the woman showed "great courage" in contacting the police immediately.

He said: "We sent her clothing off for fast-track forensic analysis and that revealed a tiny drop of blood on the back of her jacket which allowed us to make a swift arrest."