Fresh appeal by police over Brighton attempted rape

Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to after an attempted rape in Brighton last year (Photograph: Sussex Police)

The alleged incident which is featured in last nights's episode of ITV's The Brighton Police (August 24) happened shortly before 1.30am on Thursday, July 21 in 2016.

Police said a man followed a 20-year-old woman as she walked along Auckland Drive, Bevenden. He jumped on her but she screamed and he ran off, according to police.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: "The victim had travelled from the city centre on the N25 night bus from North Street to the Lewes Road junction with The Avenue, where she got off and walked along The Avenue, eventually turning right into Auckland Drive.

"It was when she reached a factory area in Auckland Drive that she became aware of the man following behind her on the opposite side of the road. He got closer and closer, finally attacking her. She was left very shaken and upset."

Officers released three CCTV stills of a man (pictured) they wanted to trace and interview in connection with the attack last year. The photos show a man on a N25 night bus as it was travelling between North Street to the Lewes Road junction with The Avenue around 1am on July 21. The man was described as white, 5' 5" and was wearing a light grey hoody and dark trousers.

But police said he never came forward and no further information was forthcoming.

Detective Constable Elaine Welsh said: "Although we exhausted all lines of enquiry, we are hoping that someone may come forward with a name or some information about the suspect after seeing the case featured on television. This was a very frightening and distressing experience for the victim and we want to catch the man responsible."

Anyone with information should contact police by calling 101 with the reference 129 of 21/07/16, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.