A TEENAGE girl has reported being sexually assaulted while out cycling on Saturday afternoon.

The 17-year-old was cycling along Wagon Way between Percy Main and the Silverlink in North Shields sometime between 2pm and 2.15pm when she was approached by a man.

She described how he seized the bike’s handlebars before inappropriately grabbing her.

The girl was able to break free and cycled away. The suspect then headed towards the Silverlink area.

He is described as white, 6ft tall, aged between 30 and 40 and of slim build. He was bald but with dark hair around the sides and a dark brown short beard or stubble. The man was wearing a dark blue hoodie and jeans.

Enquiries are ongoing and Northumbria Police is asking for the public’s help. Officers would particularly like to speak with a jogger and a family of four who were in the area at the time of the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 quoting reference number 652 of April 14.