A young woman was attacked from behind by a stranger then grabbed around the neck and sexually assaulted in the early hours of this morning.
A man was arrested earlier this afternoon on suspicion of the vicious attack, which happened in Hanover Terrace at about 5.30am.
Neighbours heard a commotion outside, and when they came outside to help found the woman distressed on the pavement, and her attacker had fled.
Officers went around the area this morning conducting door to door enquiries and are still asking any witnesses to come forward.
A police spokesman said: “A man has been arrested following an early morning assault on a woman in Brighton.
“The 21-year-old victim was walking along Hanover Terrace around 5.30am on Thursday (September 1) when she punched and kicked from behind. She was then grabbed by the neck and sexually assaulted before falling to the ground.
“Her nose was broken at some point during the attack.
“Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time, particularly if they saw or heard anything suspicious or a man running. Please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Cornbury.
“A 50-year-old man from Brighton was arrested at 3.40pm on Thursday on suspicion of sexual assault on a female. He was questioned and later bailed until October 13.”
Update: The man was later bailed until October 13.
