Detectives issue e-fit of Brighton sex attack suspect

Detectives have issued an e-fit of a man they want to interview about a sex attack on a woman in Brighton.

The assault happened a fortnight ago (Sunday 13 May) at the Seven Dials, where Dyke Road meets Goldsmid Road.

The man grabbed the 26-year-old woman a second time near Brighton, Hove and Sussex VI Form College (BHASVIC) in Dyke Road, Hove, but was thwarted by a passer-by.

The victim had not been aware of her attacker until he grabbed her at the Seven Dials at about 3am. Sussex Police said that he sexually assaulted her then walked off.

She slipped off her shoes so that she could walk faster to get away but as she passed BHASVIC she had to stop to put them back on.

The man then approached her for a second time. He grabbed her arm and threatened her, at which point she saw a man on the opposite side of the road.

She called out and ran over to him and told him what had happened. He called the police and it was only as he did so that the suspect made off.

The attacker is described as white, aged 18 to 25 years old, 5ft 10in tall, of slim build and with short dark hair. He was wearing glasses, jeans, plimsolls and a maroon hooded top.

The victim reported that he was very self-assured and spoke with a southern accent.

Detective Constable Paul Clements said: “This was a very alarming experience but thankfully the victim was able to alert the passer-by who reacted very quickly to the situation and called the police.”

He urged anyone who saw the incident or someone matching the suspect’s description to call Sussex Police on 101.