Police launch hunt for sex attacker

By James Hore

DETECTIVES have appealed for information from clubbers after a woman was sexually assaulted in an early morning attack.

The 26-year-old woman was approached by a man in Colchester town centre, who spoke to her and put his jumper around her as she was feeling cold.

But as they walked along Stanwell Street between 3am and 3.30am on Saturday, he dragged her into an alleyway and tried to rape her.

The woman managed to struggle free and ran across the road to where two young couples were standing.

She suffered cuts and bruising to her arms and one of her ankles in the attack and has been left shaken by her ordeal.

Essex Police released yesterday details of the indecent assault and appealed for three men who had been with the alleged attacker shortly before the incident to come forward.

The men had called out to the woman when they saw her near to a fast food takeaway in Queen Street.

Detective Sergeant Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: “They were all part of a group who called out to her. I would think they must know who it is and if they don't they must be able to give us a few pointers.”

The woman had been at Colchester nightclub Route with friends before they left and headed to Priory Street to wait a lift home.

But when no-one turned up, the woman decided to go to get some food at Southern Fried Chicken in Queen Street before heading towards a taxi firm in Stanwell Street.

Her attacker was described as white, aged about 30, 6ft tall, medium build and with short, dark hair. He was also clean-shaven, spoke with a local accent, was wearing a dark-coloured jumper and had a strong smell of aftershave.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk