Sex Attack On A Woman In Southsea

7 June 2010, 13:23 | Updated: 7 June 2010, 13:25

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information after a woman was sexually assaulted near a pub just off Albert Road in Portsmouth.

At around 2.40am on Sunday, June 6, the 21-year-old was walking alone through Southsea and headed onto Festing Mews, an area of garages opposite the Festing Pub on Festing Road.
 
She had been followed by a man who approached her, spoke to her and then sexually assaulted her.
 
She was able to scream for help before the man ran off disappearing onto Albert Road.
 
The man is described as:
of Indian or Pakistani origin
aged mid to late 20s 
slim build
wide-set eyes
curly dark hair
wearing a black or brown PVC waist length jacket
speaking English with a soft accent
 
The victim has been receiving support at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre. 
 
DC Jo Morris from Portsmouth CID said:  “This is a very unusual but nonetheless serious attack. “The victim was specifically targeted and followed into a secluded area where she was assaulted. “Festing Mews is overlooked by a number of properties; the woman screamed and this would have been heard by those residents.
 
“There is a burger van opposite the entrance to the Mews and at this time in the morning there would have been in the area on a Saturday night out who may have heard something, may remember seeing the woman, or more importantly the man fitting the description of our suspect.
 
“Before she entered the Mews, a black man asked the victim if she was alright and offered to call her a taxi. He is described as having a Samsung mobile phone. I am keen to trace this male who may have seen her attacker.”
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Morris at Fratton police station on 101 or 0845 045 45 45 from outside Hampshire or the Isle of Wight.
 
You can also call the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
 
All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.