DETECTIVES are hunting for a man who is believed to have raped a hitchhiker as she attempted to make her way home from a night out.

James Hore

DETECTIVES are hunting for a man who is believed to have raped a hitchhiker as she attempted to make her way home from a night out.

The woman was hitchhiking in Pitsea, south Essex, in an attempt to get back to Witham on Saturday night.

The driver of what is thought to be a red Vauxhall car stopped to collect her at 9.30pm before then sexually assaulting her in the vehicle.

The man then told her to 'get out' and the victim returned to her boyfriend's house, close to where the attack is said to have happened.

Officers investigating the case hope that members of the public will be able to provide vital information about what happened on the evening.

Det. Sgt. Danny Walker said: “This woman had been walking along Rectory Road and then London Road when this car pulled up.

“She was then attacked opposite The Gun public house.

“We are looking to speak with anyone who had been walking past the old pub between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday evening.”

The attacker was white, mid 30s, slim, with brown spiky hair and was wearing rectangular glasses.

The woman has been recovering at her home.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said people should think-twice about the mode of transport they use to get home following a night out.

She said: “Essex Police would always advise people to make sure that they know how they are getting home from a night out and always use registered public transport or a registered taxi service in order to avoid putting themselves in unnecessary danger.”

Anyone with information about the attack should call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.