Man arrested after teenager attacked in Burgess Hill

Police arrested a man shortly after an attack on a girl near a Burgess Hill park yesterday (Sunday August 11).

At 6.15pm a 16-year old girl walking home along park Road, Burgess Hill, adjacent to St Johns Park, was approached by a man who got out of a red Nissan Micra saloon and sexually assaulted her.

He dragged her towards the car but she struggled.

Passers-by saw what was happening and the man drove off.

The girl was not physically injured but was badly shaken and upset.

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A description of the car was circulated and at 7.50pm officers spotted it travelling west on the A272.

It was stopped on the A272 at Bolney, at the junction with Wineham Lane minutes later.

A 58-year old man was arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol and sexual assault, and is currently in custody for interview and further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Andy Wolstenholme said; “We are still establishing the full facts but this appears to be an isolated incident, and it is clear that the girl resisted and her cries alerted witnesses.

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“Thanks to them we were able to get a full description of the man and the car, and good work by patrolling officers and our force control room, led to the arrest barely 90 minutes later.

“We thank the several witnesses who have already come forward, but if anyone else saw what happened or saw the red T-registration Nissan Micra in the area early on Sunday evening.

“We ask them to call us on 101 quoting serial 1237 of 10/8.”