Detectives are hunting a man who sexually assaulted a teenager in Chester-le-Street.
The young woman was making her way home alone in the early hours of Sunday after becoming separated from her friends.
At about 3.30am, she was in the Pelaw Bank area of the town, walking up steps from Prospect Street to Viador, when she was appr
oached by a man.
He grabbed her, pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.
As the victim struggled to release herself, the attacker ran off.
Police said the woman was left severely traumatised by the incident and was treated for grazes and bruising.
The attacker is described as between 25 and 30, more than 6ft tall, and of thin build. He had "narrow, squinting eyes", was clean shaven and had dark brown hair cut short at the back and sides.
He was wearing dark blue skinny jeans and a white T-shirt bearing a four-inch motif on the front.
Detective Chief Inspector Eric Malkin, of Durham Police, said: "This was a horrendous attack on a young woman attempting to make her way home after an enjoyable night in the town with friends.
"I would urge anyone who was in the area concerned at around the time the attack took place and can help identify the man responsible to come forward."
Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police, tel. 0345 6060 365 or Crimestoppers, tel. 0800 555 111.
The full article contains 246 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
