A KNIFEMAN grabbed a woman by the throat and raped her as she walked home from a corner shop in York.

Police today warned women to be on their guard after the attack on the 26-year-old woman at Scarcroft Green.

Officers described the rape as a vicious one, and confirmed it is the latest in a number of serious sexual assaults in the area this year.

The incidents have not so far been linked, but officers say they have not ruled out a connection.

The rape victim was confronted after she called for shopping at Jackson's supermarket, on the corner of Bishopthorpe Road and Scarcroft Road, at about 11.40pm last night.

Her attacker grabbed her round the throat after threatening her with a knife.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said: "There is nothing at the moment to indicate that this is connected to any other attack, but as with all inquiries we cannot rule that out.

"If women have to walk alone, we are asking them to be very wary about which route they take and, ideally, walk in company."

The victim is now at home after spending the night speaking with specially-trained officers to help them find her attacker.

Sgt Ventress added: "This was a very vicious attack which we are taking extremely seriously.

"The victim had cut across the park and was near the children's play area when she was approached by a man who threatened her with a knife, grabbed her the throat and subjected her to a serious sexual assault.

"At this stage we do not know if she had been followed by the man, or whether she had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is one of the things we are trying to discover."

The attacker is described as in his mid to late 20s and about 5ft 10in tall.

He has broad shoulders, was clean-shaven and had a shaved head with about a quarter inch of growth. His hair was fair and very fine.

He spoke with a local accent and had a round face, although he was not fat.

He was wearing a dirty white and grey jacket, which had a stripe across the shoulder, and dark trousers.

The latest attack follows one in nearby Station Road, near The Mount, in May, while earlier that month a woman was sexually assaulted at the corner of Philadelphia Terrace and Ovington Terrace, South Bank.

In February this year, another woman was attacked in neighbouring Coggan Close. All women described a man of a similar age.

Anybody with information is asked to contact DC Bryan Redshaw at York Police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:26 Monday, November 12, 2001