Naked woman found beaten on bridleway
A naked woman has been found beaten and left for dead on a bridleway in a remote rural spot.
The woman was discovered by a dog walker who thought she was dead and called police on a mobile phone to guide them to the spot a mile west of Clanfield, Hampshire.
But police discovered the woman, who has not been identified, was alive and after giving her first aid she was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
No clothing was found in the area near the woman, believed to be 35-40 years old, blonde and with a rose tattoo on her upper right arm.
Leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent John James said the attack had been brutal and sustained.
He said: "It appears she was left for dead. There is no doubt that whoever left her there thought she was dead or dying."
It was not yet clear where the woman was attacked, or when she was left in the middle of the bridlepath, but no attempt was made to hide her body.
Mr James said forensic officers were on the scene and a large-scale search of the area would be carried out.
He said Hampshire police were keen to hear from anyone who might know the woman, who is slim, 5ft 6ins and with scars from breast implants and from abdominal surgery.
Police also want to hear from anyone who was in the area of the path, off Monarch's Way, to help them establish how long the woman had been there.
