A KNIFEPOINT robber who attempted to sexually assault a 50-year-old woman in Middlesbrough before stabbing her in the hand is believed to be responsible for another crime 20 minutes later.

Police believe the assailant, described as being Asian, about 5'2'' tall and in his mid to late 30s, was also responsible for a 21-year-old man being threatened on a nearby street.

The man, wearing a dark hooded jacket and dark bottoms with a scarf wrapped around his face, struck on Pearl Street, Middlesbrough, at 12.30am on Wednesday, February 4 when he asked a woman for a cigarette, then produced a knife and demanded her phone.

He attempted to sexually assault her and when she struggled he cut her hand with the knife, leaving a deep wound which later needed surgery.

The suspect then ran off along Pearl Street towards Borough Road.

The woman went to James Cook University Hospital and police want to trace a taxi driver who picked the victim up from Linthorpe Road and took her to hospital.

About 20 minutes later a 21-year-old man was threatened with a knife on Princess Road, near to Diamond Road, Middlesbrough, by a man described as Asian, slim build and wearing tracksuit-type clothing and trainers. He made off without taking anything.

Detective Inspector John Wrintmore of Middlesbrough Integrated neighbourhood team said: "These are two extremely serious incidents, which have left both victims extremely upset and shaken, and in one case permanently physically scarred.

"Due to the similarities we are connecting both incidents and we have detectives following a number of lines of enquiry to identify a suspect.

"I believe it is most likely the offender is local and there will be people in the community that I believe may have information that can assist."

He said officers were patrolling the area to reassure residents. Witnesses, or anyone with information, is asked to call 101.