DETECTIVES have launched a manhunt after a woman was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault while out jogging in the early hours of yesterday .The 33-year-old has told police she was running along a footpath close to a row of houses on Cats Lane, between Sudbury and Great Cornard, at 12.

DETECTIVES have launched a manhunt after a woman was subjected to a terrifying sexual assault while out jogging in the early hours of yesterday .

The 33-year-old has told police she was running along a footpath close to a row of houses on Cats Lane, between Sudbury and Great Cornard, at 12.30am when the attacker struck.

The woman, who is believed to come from the Sudbury area, was grabbed before being assaulted but put up a fight and managed to escape. As she fled her attacker also ran from the scene.

Yesterday, the police cordoned off an area of grassland - outside the row of houses between the Hillside Road turning and the Maldon Grey pub - where the attack is said to have happened.

Scenes of crimes officers and a police search and advice team carried out a thorough search of the area in the hunt for clues.

Detectives also carried out door-to-door inquires in the Cats Lane and Hillside Road areas.

A resident of Cats Lane, who did not want to be named, said: “It is very frightening to think something like this can happen around here, I am sure everybody will be a bit nervous until the person responsible is found.”

Last night detectives were still waiting to interview the victim to help them build up a clearer picture of the frightening attack.

Det Sgt Andy Footer, who is leading the inquiry, said: “The victim called us in the early hours of this morning stating she had been sexually assaulted by a man in Cats Lane.

“Trained officers will be speaking with the victim to obtain a formal statement, we will then hopefully have a clearer picture of what happened.

“The victim is quite shaken by her ordeal and we will ensure that she is looked after and her welfare is taken into consideration.

“In the meantime, we are very keen to hear from anyone who may have heard or seen anything untoward in the Cats Lane area in the early hours of this morning.”

The offender is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, with short dark hair. He wore a sweatshirt and trousers, and the victim said he smelt of alcohol.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Det Sgt Footer at Sudbury police on 01284 774300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.