DETECTIVES have appealed for help from the public after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted following a night out with friends.

Elliot Furniss

DETECTIVES have appealed for help from the public after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted following a night out with friends.

The incident happened in Williams Walk, off East Stockwell Street, in the Dutch Quarter of Colchester, between 2.30am and 3am on Sunday morning.

The 18-year-old, who had become separated from friends during a night out, was seriously assaulted by a man described as being aged between 24 and 27, about 5ft7ins tall and with brown hair.

He was of a slim to medium build and had muscular arms and is believed to have been wearing jeans with a zip fly and a sleeveless vest top.

The man spoke with a local accent and mentioned to his victim that he was from Colchester.

Detective Inspector Roy Clark said: “We need to trace everyone who was in the area at the relevant time and are examining all available CCTV footage from the area.

“We are confident that the forensic service will be able to develop a DNA profile of the offender. Our enquiries so far suggest that a possible suspect may have been with two male friends in the Hippodrome nightclub prior to the incident.

“If the man recognises himself from the description given I would urge him to come forward as soon as possible.”

After the attack, the young woman made her way to an area near to the JJB sports shop in Colchester High Street where two women noticed she was crying and distressed.

When she told them what had happened they flagged down a passing police car.

Detectives are keen to speak to these two women or anyone who was in the area as they may have information about the incident.

Anyone that can help can contact the enquiry team at Colchester Police Station on 0300 3334444.