POLICE are asking for help in catching a man who followed a woman through an Essex town at night and then subjected her to a sex attack in an alleyway.

Roddy Ashworth

POLICE are asking for help in catching a man who followed a woman through an Essex town at night and then subjected her to a sex attack in an alleyway.

Police are renewing their appeal about the sexual assault of the 34 year-old local woman on East Hill, Colchester after two men previously arrested were released and told they would not face charges.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Jennings yesterday released still photographs and CCTV footage of a man believed to be responsible for the sustained attack which happened in the early hours of January 22.

Ds Jennings said: “We have conducted extensive inquiries and studied CCTV footage but have so far been unable to identify him.

“We are now able to release some of the footage in our possession in the hope that somebody can identify the man.

“This assault was a particularly nasty, prolonged attack.

“The suspect had bumped into his victim in Colchester High Street at a quarter past midnight and had stalked her through the almost deserted streets.

“The victim became aware she was being followed and went into an alleyway at the lower end of East Hill where she pressed the intercom thinking it was connected to residential premises and she would be safe.

“She was followed into the alleyway by our suspect and attacked.”

The attacker was described as white, about 5ft 7ins tall, possibly in his early 20s, with medium build and light brown or blonde hair.

He wore a dark jacket, had a pulled-up hood and white shoes with black soles.

He was wearing particularly distinctive trousers or jeans with turn ups that had two large square white patches on the back, possibly in a “hip hop” style.

If you have any information at all or can give us a name for this person then please do not hesitate to contact Colchester CID on 0300 333 4444 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.