A sex attacker fled after being disturbed as he tried to rape a woman in a Brighton street.
He befriended the drunk 19-year-old as she was walking home in St James’s Street after a night out.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses to the attack which happened shortly after 2am yesterday (Monday 5 January).
The attacker and his victim walked together for a short distance before the man sexually assaulted her outside Ardingly Court and tried to rape her.
He was disturbed by a member of the public who heard the victim being assaulted, Sussex Police said. The attacker then fled along Ardingly Street.
The man was described as white, in his mid forties, 6ft 2in or 6ft 3in tall and stocky, clean shaven and with choppy, mousy dirty-blond hair. He was a wearing a blue Puffa-style jacket.
Detective Sergeant Dee Wells said: “The man took advantage of the fact that the woman was drunk to try to sexually assault her. She has been left very shaken by what has happened.
“We believe he was preparing to rape her when he was disturbed.
“We need to speak to anyone who saw or heard the attack happening or who saw the man and woman walking towards Ardingly Court.
“If you recognise the description of the man or who know who or where he could be, please contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
