A woman was sexually assaulted near a college on the border of Brighton and Hove early this morning (Sunday 13 May).
Her attacker was thwarted when the 26-year-old sought help from a passer-by who called the police.
The attack happened at about 3am in Dyke Road, near Brighton, Hove and Sussex VI Form College (BHASVIC).
Sussex Police said that the victim had not been aware of her attacker until he grabbed her and sexually assaulted her. He then walked away.
The force said: “She slipped off her shoes so that she could walk faster but as she passed the college she had to stop to put them back on and the man approached her for a second time.
“He grabbed her arm and threatened her, at which point she spotted a man on the opposite side of the road.
“She called out and ran over to him and explained what had happened. He called the police and it was only as he did that the suspect moved off.”
The suspect was described as a slim white man, 5ft 10in tall and aged between 18 and 25 years old. He had short dark hair and was wearing glasses, jeans, plimsolls and a maroon hooded top.
The victim said that he was very self-assured and spoke with a southern accent.
Inspector Julie Wakeford said: “This was a very alarming experience but thankfully the victim was able to alert the passer-by who reacted very quickly to the situation and called the police.”
Inspector Wakeford urged anyone who was in the area or who saw the incident or someone matching the suspect’s description to call 101.
