Wiltshire Police is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed a physical assault on a woman as she was walking home in the early hours of Sunday 5 December in Swindon.
The victim was followed as she walked from Pinehurst Road and into Crossways Avenue. Realising that she was being followed, the victim ran into Hilary Close and lost sight of the person following her.
As she walked through the park between Inglesham Road and Hilary Close, she was attacked by the man who she had earlier seen following her.
He grabbed her hair and attempted to pull her into the undergrowth, but he ran off after she struck him with her handbag.
He is described as a black male, around 6ft tall, with short dark hair, wearing a short-sleeved red T-shirt, black trousers and black shoes.
PC Sam Westerby said: “This must have been an extremely frightening experience to be attacked in such a way by a stranger as she was walking home. Thankfully she was able to defend herself and run away from her attacker.
“Do you know who the attacker is or were you in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning? Any information, however trivial it might seem, could provide vital clues to help identify this man.”
If you can help, call them on 101 quoting log 54210118375.
Alternatively, you can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
