Police Hunt Man Near Scene Of Sex Attack

Police have released a photo of a man near the scene of a sexual assault in New Road, Palmerston Park, Southampton.

Detectives need to talk to the man as part of an investigation into the assault of a 19-year-old woman at about 3am Tuesday, May 29. 

The woman was walking home along Above Bar Street when a man at a bus stop asked her for a cigarette. 

She refused and continued walking along Above Bar Street, through East Park at the rear of Que Pasa and into New Road, where she was rugby tackled from behind and taken to bushes on the edge of Palmerston Park. 

She was sexually assaulted before she managed to push the man away and escape.

The offender is described as Asian, 5ft 7ins tall, slim and aged between 19 and 21. He was clean shaven with dark spiky hair and wore a beige or yellow polo top, dark blue jeans and brown trainers with Velcro fastenings. 

Detective Constable Kimberley Bownes, of Western area CID, said: "We need to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed a man loitering in the area. We also need to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the photo. He could have vital information about this incident.

"Although we do not want to alarm people, we would remind people that, when making a journey home late at night, it is advisable not to make that journey alone."

Anyone who recognises the man in the photograph is asked to contact DC Kimberley Bownes at Western area CID on 101 or ring the Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111. Minicom users should ring 01962 875000.