Brit Injured 'Escaping Sex Assault' In India

A British woman is recovering from injuries to her legs after jumping out of her hotel window to escape an alleged sex attack in Agra in India - the home of the iconic Taj Mahal.

According to police, the incident happened in the Cantonment area of the city about four o'clock on Tuesday morning.

Deputy Superintendent Simranjit Kaur told Sky News that the 31-year-old woman escaped from the second floor window of her room after the hotel owner tried to enter "demanding" a massage.

"The woman became scared and leapt from the balcony. We have arrested the owner and may cancel the licence of the hotel depending on our investigations," she said.

The victim was taken to hospital by a rickshaw driver and was treated for muscle damage to her legs.

She has also given a statement to officers and is now "safely" in another hotel under police protection.

The police said she will be flying home to the UK shortly, even though she was planning to visit China after touring India.

The Foreign Office said it was "urgently" investigating the reports.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the reports and we are urgently looking into it. We are in contact with our colleagues in India."

In a later statement it thanked news organisations and journalists who had shown "restraint" in reporting the case.

"The victim of the attack is now safe and receiving consular assistance and has expressed a wish to be given space to recover from this ordeal," it said.

The Foreign Office has also changed its advice to female travellers visiting India in the last forty eight hours following the gang rape of a Swiss cycle tourist in Madhya Pradesh on Friday night.

British female tourists are now being advised to"exercise caution" in India, even when travelling as part of a group.

Advice on the FCO website states: "Reported cases of sexual assault against women and young girls are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women are also at risk.

"British women have been the victims of sexual assault in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore and Rajasthan and women travellers often receive unwanted attention in the form of verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men."

Women travelling through the country are advised to respect local dress codes and customs and avoid visiting isolated areas, including beaches, alone, at any time of day.

The FCO also warns women against travelling alone on public transport, in taxis or auto-rickshaws, especially at night.

The Swiss woman was camping in a forested area with her husband when they were attacked by men brandishing sticks. She was repeatedly raped according to local police.

That attack came just a few days after the man accused of leading the fatal gang rape of a student on a New Delhi bus was found hanged in his prison cell.

India has seen anger and public protests against rapes and sexual attacks on women since the gang-rape in New Delhi in December.