A CYCLIST sexually assaulted a teenage girl before riding off.

Police are looking for a man on a mountain bike who attacked an 18-year-old woman in Houghton-le-Spring on Thursday (Feb 5).

The assault took place at Stott’s Pastures shortly before 1pm, when a man riding a red mountain bike with thin tyres and curved handlebars carried out the assault.

He is described as being in his late 30s, around 6ft tall and of average build. He was wearing a black cycle helmet, hi-visibility vest, blue tracksuit bottoms and a rucksack with zigzag strings on it.

The girl was left shaken, but was unharmed in the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.