POLICE are still hunting for a sex attacker who abducted and sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in Southampton.

The incident happened as the shop assistant was walking to a bus stop in Portswood after work.

She was marched into Highfield Lane and through to a secluded area of private gardens and allotments where the assault took place. The teenager, who had been so badly affected by the incident that she was unable to say exactly when the attack had happened, only reported it last week.

Police believe it took place during the first three weeks of May and say the victim was attacked some time after 5.45pm as she walked to a bus stop in Old St Denys Road.

Detectives said the man made her walk along St Denys Road over Portswood Road and along Highfield Lane and may have had his arm around her shoulder at times.

After going into Highfield Lane the man is believed to have turned into a driveway and into a garden area. The victim told police it was possible that her attacker could have travelled on the same Number 6 bus as her previously - either the 7.45am from Merry Oak to Portswood or the 5.50pm from Portswood to Merry Oak. The attacker was white, in his 30s, with short, cropped hair and may have a mark on his neck. He wore dark clothing and possibly a bomber-style jacket. Police said the victim was slim with shoulder-length blonde hair. She wore dark trousers and a light top.

Call Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545 with information.