Detectives step up hunt for man who attacked Brighton woman last weekend

Police hunting a man who attacked a woman a week ago will be out trying to find witnesses in the early hours of tomorrow morning (Sunday 18 November).

The attack happened at the Seven Dials in Dyke Road, Brighton, near the junction with Compton Avenue, at about 3.40am last Sunday (11 November).

Sussex Police said that officers were keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the victim or her attacker who followed her and talked to her before the attack.

The 26-year-old woman was wearing a distinctive black leather jacket with fur trim. She was dragged into an alleyway between Bliss Hairdressing and the Seven Dials Osteopathic Clinic.

She fought off her attacker and her screams alerted neighbours, causing the man to flea. He stole the woman’s iPhone.

Detectives have been viewing CCTV along the route and have issued an image of a man they want to talk to in order to eliminate him from their inquiries.

The woman, who was lost, is seen to ask him directions and he has pointed and walked with her up Western Road before walking up Spring Street.

Sussex Police said: “We now know the woman walked from Western Road, up Spring Street, making her way up Clifton Road and then to Dyke Road.

Detective Constable Jane Walker said: “We have viewed CCTV along the route and see that the victim has spoken with this man in the city centre.

“She’s asked for directions and CCTV shows him walking with her at least initially.

“We urgently need to identify this man who may have important information that he can give us.”

Police will be at the scene in Dyke Road from 1am to 5am, hoping to jog the memory of potential witnesses.

Detective Constable Walker said: “We are asking people to come forward if they saw a man acting suspiciously in the area.

“The woman describes her attacker as slim or medium built, olive skinned, up to 6ft tall and in his mid to late twenties.

“The male spoke with a foreign accent and tried to engage her in conversation.

“We are keeping an open mind as to the motive of the attacker.

“You might have seen him with the woman who wore a distinctive bomber style black leather jacket with thick beige fur trim on the collar and cuffs and a black skirt.

“Perhaps you saw her on her way to or at Dyke Road.

“We will be out in the early hours of Sunday morning, from 1am to 5am, to talk with people near the scene of the assault.”

She urged anyone with information to contact Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on  0800 555111.