A TEENAGE girl has been sexually assaulted as she made her way home from school.

The 14-year-old girl was attacked in broad daylight close to the Tesco superstore in Consett on Thursday (May 5).

The girl was approached from behind and knocked to the ground, where she was sexually assaulted by a man in his 20s.

She then managed to get to her feet and run to safety.

Police are now appealing for help tracing the man who carried out the attack on the heaps behind the Tesco Extra store in Genesis Way at 3.50pm.

He is described as being 5ft 9ins tall and skinny, of mixed race with black short hair and broad shoulders.

Officers say it is possible he had his ear pierced and was wearing a ring. He was also wearing a grey hoodie and smelt strongly of urine.

PC Karen Myers, from Consett CID, said: “This is a clearly a very shocking and upsetting incident for the girl involved and the wider community.

“We would like to reassure people that we are doing everything we can to trace the individual involved, we are currently reviewing town centre CCTV to identify this man and are now appealing to the public for information to assist us.”

Specialist officers are supporting the girl and her family.

Anyone with information should call Durham Police on 101 and ask for PC Karen Myers at Consett CID.