Daijiworld Media Network - Jingshan (SHP)

Jingshan, Feb 5: A woman in China scared away a rapist while claiming that she had coronavirus and that she was from Wuhan.

The police stated that the 25-year-old suspect Xiao, broke into the victim's bedroom last Friday night in the city of Jingshan near Wuhan.

As he tried to sexually assault the victim she shouted in desperation, "I just returned from Wuhan and have been infected, therefore I am home alone in self-quarantine."

The victim identified as Yi went one step further in her act and coughed while trying to push the accused away. Reportedly, he was attempting to squeeze her neck and cover her mouth.

But after hearing Yi's claims, the culprit was frightened and fled - but not before robbing Yi of 3,080 yuan (GBP 338) in cash.

The incident took place in the township of Pingba on the outskirts of Jingshan, which is a three-hour drive from Wuhan.

It was revealed by Jingshan Public Security Bureau in a social media post on Monday.

The police said Xiao, a local, is a runaway and required money and therefore intended to rob.

Once he broke into the victim's home, he found Yi all by herself in the home and decided to rape her. Soon after, Yi scared away the accused she called the police. The officials began a manhunt in the town. However, the officers confessed that the investigation was difficult because everyone was wearing face masks to protect them from the coronavirus.

Eventually, Xiao turned himself in, accompanied by his father, in the wee hours of Monday. He admitted his guilt and is now in detention.

The death toll from the epidemic continues to rise in China as the country's National Health Commission reported 64 new deaths overnight and Hong Kong saw its first victim today.

The deadly and contagious disease has killed at least 427 people and infected more than 20,700 globally.