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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
matthew dresch & Heather Pickstock

Police called to 'grunting' man in gimp suit terrorising people in sleepy village

A man wearing a black latex suit has been jumping out in front of strangers while touching his groin in a North Somerset village.

A woman in her 20s says she was approached by a man who was "grunting and breathing heavily" in the sleepy village of Claverham on July 11.

The man was wearing a 'gimp suit' – a suit designed to cover the body completely which is usually made of rubber or latex.

The terrified woman pushed the man away from her and started screaming and the man fled.

Police were alerted and sniffer dogs and a police helicopter were drafted in to try to find the latex-clad stranger. But the search was fruitless and no trace of the man could be found.

Police believe the man was "deliberately attempting to cause alarm".

'Every time I close my eyes I just see that face'

Speaking to the BBC, the victim said: "He kept coming towards me and was touching his groin, grunting and breathing heavy.

"As I tried to take a step back he was right in front of my face and he put his leg forward. I was just trying to assess the situation in my head quickly.

"Everything was running through my head. I thought: 'This is it, I'm going to get attacked'. Every time I close my eyes I just see that face."

Police believe the man is 'deliberately attempting to cause alarm' (BBC)

She shared a picture of the suspect with the BBC in an effort to raise awareness about his behaviour.

The image has also been shared widely on social media amongst communities in neighbouring villages.

The picture shows a man in a black latex suit and mask, which has crosses over the eyes and a red smile.

What police have said

An Avon and Somerset Constabulary spokesperson said: "We're aware of concerns relating to a man acting suspiciously in the Claverham/Yatton area.

"While we're keeping an open mind about the motive for these incidents, it's clear the individual responsible is deliberately attempting to cause alarm to the men and women he's approaching.

"While no-one has been hurt during the incidents, we fully appreciate the distress these actions have caused victims."

Get all the latest news from in and around the city on the  Bristol Live homepage.

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