Passenger tries to kiss woman on late-night bus to Hove

A man is being hunted by police after he tried to kiss a woman on a bus from Shoreham to Hove.

The incident happened in July but police issued a fresh appeal for the public’s help after obtaining a CCTV image of a man they would like to interview.

The victim, a 45-year-old woman, was travelling on the 700 Stagecoach bus with a friend when the man who was sitting next to her tried to kiss her.

The woman got off the bus near the King Alfred in Kingsway, Hove.

Sussex Police said that the incident happened at about 11pm on Friday 15 July.

The man was described as in his mid to late twenties, about 6ft 2in tall, of slim build, with long hair.

He is believed to originate from the Morocco area.

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

Detectives do not believe that the incident is linked to three separate sexual assaults on buses in Brighton and Hove from April to August.

They have arrested and charged a 31-year old Hove man, Aruna Kaluperuma, a student from Rutland Gardens, Hove.

Kaluperuma was arrested on a bus on Tuesday (6 September) after being spotted by an off-duty police officer.

He appeared before Brighton magistrates on Wednesday (7 September) charged with sexual assault on three separate women on Tuesday 5 April, Friday 24 June and Monday 8 August.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday next week (13 September).

Detective Sergeant Vanessa Britton, from Brighton and Hove CID, said: “We take all incidents of sexual assault very seriously and anyone who feels that they have been a victim of such an incident should call us on 0845 6070999.

“Their call will be taken seriously and compassionately.”