Boy, 14, sexually assaulted in Hove

A 14-year-old boy has been sexually assaulted by a man in a Hove toilet.

The boy ran from the toilets and dashed north up Goldstone Villas towards Hove Station, fleeing from his attacker, a big bellied tanned white man thought to be in his sixties.

The boy’s mother called police shortly before 5pm on Wednesday (14 September) after her son told her of the incident.

He was attacked in the public toilets in Goldstone Villas, at the junction with Eaton Villas, at about 4.20pm.

The suspect was described as having wrinkled cheeks and being of medium build with “quite a big belly”. He had a double chin and white or grey hair, which was short at the back and untidy on top.

He was wearing a long-sleeved blue striped shirt that had a few buttons undone revealing a white T-shirt or vest underneath, jeans and a brown belt.

He spoke with a southern accent.

Sussex Police would also like to speak to a second man who was in the toilet at the same time.

He was not involved in the alleged offence but may be a witness.

He was described as a dark-skinned man of Asian appearance with dark hair, short on the back and sides and styled on top.

He was wearing a zip-up sports top, red on the top half and blue on the bottom. He had dark blue tracksuit bottoms.

Detective Constable Richard Mackenzie said: “This was obviously a distressing experience for the young victim.

“Goldstone Villas is quite busy with shoppers from George Street and Blatchington Road and the toilets are opposite a busy bus stop.

“I believe that someone may well have seen the boy running from the toilets and north up Goldstone Villas and perhaps the two men who we would like to speak to.”

Anyone with informations is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.