A WOMAN was raped after accepting a lift from a man posing as a minicab driver as she left a pub.

The 26-year-old victim left The Crown public house, in Willesden High Street at 10.30pm on December 2 last year.

She was heading towards a minicab office when she was approached by a man claiming to be a minicab driver who offered to take her home.

She got into his red, 'H' registration, two-door, Suzuki Vitara Jeep, and was driven to an industrial area in Rainsford Road, Park Royal, where the suspect stopped the car and raped her. The victim managed to struggle out of the car as another car passed by. The driver of the vehicle saw what was happening and raced round the block, returning to where the offence had taken place.

The suspect had fled so the motorist took the victim to Wembley Police Station.

The suspect is described as a man of Mediterranean appearance, aged between 27-33 years, 5ft 8ins tall and of thin build. He had short, dark hair, brown eyes and a deep voice.

DC Rob McPhee, from the Brent Sexual Offences Unit, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim, and we are determined to find the rapist responsible.

"We would urge those who use taxis, particularly lone females travelling home after a night out, to always book your minicab and ensure that the cab you book is the cab you get into at the end of the night."

Information to 8733 3949/15.