DETECTIVES are hunting a sex attacker who attacked a 44-year-old woman after dragging her down an alleyway in the Fratton area of Portsmouth.

The terrifying incident happened in the early hours of yesterday morning as the woman was walking alone along Malins Road and was approached by a man.

she was dragged into a nearby alley way and seriously sexually assaulted at about 2am.

Detective Inspector David Dilley, from the major crime team, said: “This was a nasty attack on a woman walking home alone who was dragged into an alleyway against her will and seriously sexually assaulted.

“I would ask anyone who may have seen or heard the incident or recognises the description of the offender to contact police in confidence as soon as possible.”

The attacker is described as white, aged between 20 to 30, 5 ft 7ins to 5 ft 10 ins tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark blue track suit and a baseball cap.

Anyone with information should contact the major crime unit at Fratton Police Stattion, quoting Operation Berlin, on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.