Woman escapes in sex-attack ordeal

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed himself and sexually assaulted a woman in High Crompton.

The 55-year-old victim was walking near the Puckersley Inn, Thornham Road at 8.15am on Sunday when a man standing near the speed camera sign on the left hand side of the road pulled down his shorts as she passed him. As she tried to walk off he grabbed her but pushed her away as a car drove past, then ran off towards Dogford Road. The victim and a passer-by called police.

The offender is described as white, between 30-35 years old and 6ft tall with shortly-cropped brown hair. He had a muscular, slim build with a long straight nose and was clean shaven, with a slight tan. He was wearing a navy blue or black short-sleeved polo shirt with a plain collar and a horizontal thin white stripes, and grey shorts with an elasticated waist.

Detective Constable Kelly Bragg said: “It’s lucky the offender was disturbed. It’s worrying to think what could have happened had that car not driven past.

“It is important we catch this man: the offence was bad enough, but there is a very real danger he could attack again.”

Police are asking anyone who drove along the road around the time of the attack to call: on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.