THIS is a potential witness police want to speak to in connection with a rape case.

Detectives from the city’s major crime department have released a CCTV image of the man they think could provide vital information.

It comes after a 22-year-old man was raped by another man as he walked along a footpath near the Clover Nook flats, off Old Redbridge Road, Southampton, between 5.10am and 5.20am on Saturday, October 1.

The victim said that he was approached by a man he did not know who then raped him before running into the Clover Nook flats minutes later.

The rapist was described as wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers and had a tribal design tattoo which extended from underneath the sleeve on his T-shirt to his wrist. He was white and about 5ft 8in with short hair.

Detective Sergeant Bryan Carter said: “The image we are releasing is of a man seen on the CCTV from the Shell garage in Millbrook Road just before the Redbridge flyover at 5.11am on Saturday, October 1. He is not considered a suspect in any way but was in the area at the time that the victim was dropped off in a taxi prior to the attack in Clover Nook.

“It may be that he saw something or someone in the area and we’d very much like to speak to him. He is white and was wearing a top with either blue or green stripes.

“I would urge him or anyone who knows who he is to get in contact with us as he may be able to help us solve this crime.

“He is not a suspect so has nothing to worry about by speaking to us.”

Call the Operation Stopford team at Hulse Road on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.