BREAKING: Efit of Old Town sex attacker released by detectives

A 32-year-old woman was walking home having got off a bus from Brighton outside the Tally Ho pub in Old Town, Eastbourne, at about 11.30pm on Monday (April 11).

As she got to Woodcroft Drive, about 30 minutes later, a man ran up, grabbed her, and carried out a sexual assault.

Police say that she resisted him and, after a struggle during which she screamed. He let go of her as neighbours’ lights were coming on, and ran away.

The woman was badly shaken and also suffered minor bruising.

The man is described as being aged in his mid to late 20s, about 5’ 8”, with short black hair. He was wearing a dark jumper with white lettering on the front or back and black loose fitting tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Sergeant Dave Tye said, “When the woman got off the bus she walked along Green Street, and right into Victoria Drive after crossing the road so she was the Sainsbury’s side of the road.

“She got to the Willingdon Road junction by the Willingdon Golf Club entrance road, crossed over the road and walked down the alleyway that leads into Woodcroft Drive.

“Although it was late at night we still think someone may have seen this man following her at some point.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area while we continue to investigate.”

Detectives are considering the possibility of a connection between this incident and similar previous incidents in Michel Grove on February 16 and in Upperton Road on December 15 last year, and had made public appeals for information in both cases.

Anyone who recognises the efit or has with any information is asked to contact police by emailing [email protected] or call 101, quoting serial 1548 of 11/04.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-org).

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