weekend.

Two women, both friends, are reported to have been subjected to an horrifying abduction and rape at the hands of the same man, in Smith's Parish late on Saturday night.

Both victims were threatened at knife point during the ordeal, which lasted two hours, as the assailant seriously sexually assaulted one, then the other and kept them both captive whilst he drove them around the Island.

The alleged attack finally ended when the assailant drove into Hamilton and one of the women managed to escape and raise the alarm.

Police have initiated a manhunt and are co-ordinating the investigation via the Major Incident Room at Prospect.

And they have called for the public's help with possible sightings of the attacker and victims as they drove around during the ordeal.

Last night, a full picture of exactly what happened during the attack had not been released by Police.

But a Police spokesman was able to describe some of the details of the womens' claims.

"One of the complainants had gone to visit her friend, at her Smith's home, just after midnight.

said she met a man leaving the premises, who had allegedly broken into the residence and seriously sexually assaulted her friend at knife point.

"On seeing her, the man returned, taking both women in her car. They were driven around, at one point forced to withdraw money from an ATM machine.

"The culprit then drove the female owner of the car back to Smith's, where she was sexually assaulted at knife point. She was then taken to Court Street, where she managed to escape and contact Police.'' The victims were able to give officers a description of the man.

Last night, a Police spokesman appealed for assistance from the public, who may have seen a car, carrying a black male and two white women, between the hours of 10 p.m. and midnight on Saturday.

"We are looking for anyone who was in the vicinity of the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club on North Shore Road, Tiffany's Twenty Four 7 at the junction of Court Street and Dundonald Street, and the Swizzle Inn, Hamilton Parish,'' she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 295 0011.