Detectives have today released sinister CCTV footage of a woman being carried through Leeds city centre by a man before she was raped.

The 24-year-old woman had been walking to get a taxi home at 5am after a night out on August 14 when she was approached by the man.

The pair talked before they walked a short distance to Dortmund Square where the man picked her up and carried her to Mark Lane, next to St John’s shopping centre, where she was raped.

Officers investigating the attack said the victim, who has consented to the release of the video, had been left traumatised.

Detective Superintendent Pat Twiggs, head of crime for Leeds District, said it is believed the man prowled Leeds city centre looking for someone to attack on the night of the rape.

Prior to meeting the woman, the man is seen loitering in a car park at the rear of the Malmaison hotel in Swinegate at 4.45am before approaching a woman.

He is later seen walking along Briggate.

He is described as black, aged 30 to 40, tall, has a shaved head and was seen wearing a long black overcoat and black trousers.

Det Supt Twiggs said: “He is seen approaching a woman in Swinegate at about 4.45am.

“The footage is not completely clear but it shows a white woman wearing a skirt. I am appealing for that woman to contact us.

“A man can be seen walking in the opposite direction shortly before and a taxi can be seen parked nearby.

“We would also like to trace those people as potential witnesses.

“The way the offender is dressed does give him the appearance of a doorman and we have been making extensive enquiries with licensed premises.

“However, there could be other reasons why he was dressed smartly like this.

“I’m asking people to think about what events there were on in the city that night that he could might have been attending dressed like this.

“He may have been staying at a hotel in the city centre and we would like to hear from anyone who has information about that."

Police said they had recovered a DNA profile from the victim and will be able to easily eliminate anyone whose name is put forward.

Det Supt Twiggs said: “The circumstances of the offence and this man’s behaviour leading up to it are a serious cause for concern and we need to identify and arrest him at the earliest opportunity.”

Anyone with any information should call Detective Constable Rachel Gilsenan on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.