POLICE are appealing for the public to come forward with information after a woman claimed she was the victim of a sexual attack at the weekend.

The 21-year-old woman from the East Cleveland area, said she was walking on Loftus Bank from Loftus towards Carlin How at about 11.30pm on Friday night.

As she entered a wooded area of the path near to Loftus, the woman said she was grabbed by a man who was walking in the opposite direction and dragged to the ground where the alleged sexual attack occurred.

She said she managed to fight off her attacked and made her way to a friend’s house in Carlin How. It is believed the alleged offender continued up Loftus Bank towards Loftus.

He was described as a white male, in his late 20s, of medium build, wearing a grey hooded top with matching bottoms and white training shoes.

Detective Sergeant Lew Matthews, of Redcar CID, would like to hear from anyone who believes they can provide information about the incident, or the male responsible.

He said he would also like to speak to a man who is believed to have walked up Loftus Bank and then along West Road, Loftus, around the time of the incident. The man was wearing a black or dark-coloured jacket and may have walked to Loftus from the Brotton area. He may be able to provide useful information about the incident.

Contact can be made with Det Sgt Lew Matthews at Redcar and Cleveland Police HQ on the non emergency 101 number or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. [ends]