Sexual Assault In Southampton

Detectives in Southampton are appealing for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted as she walked home from the city centre following a night out.

At around 3.10am this morning May 29 the 19-year-old was asked by a man at a bus stop on Above Bar Street for a cigarette.

She replied no and carried on walking turning down past Que Pasa along New Road towards Palmerston Park. As she did so, she was rugby tackled from behind and taken behind some bushes at the edge of the park where the man sexually assaulted her.

She managed to push him off and run away.

He is described as:

-Asian in appearance

-Around 5ft 7 inches tall

-About 20-years-old with dark spikey hair.

-He was clean shaven and wore a polo top and dark blue jeans and brown Velcro trainers.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses who were in the area around 3.10am and saw or heard anything suspicious to contact them.

They would also like to remind people that it is best to stick to busy, well lit areas at night and to walk with someone else such as a friend when out late a night.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Detective Constable Kimberley Bownes at the Western Area CID team at Southampton Central Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.