A BOXING fan was led into an alley by three men and raped as he made his way home from watching the world heavyweight championship bout between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.

The 34-year-old victim was attacked in the early hours of Sunday a short time after watching the big fight in a crowded club.

Two men held the victim down while a third carried out the serious sexual assault.

The man had set off to walk home in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, between 5.30am and 6.30am after watching the fight.

After leaving the town centre venue, on St Thomas's Street, he then "befriended" three men and stopped to talk to them. He was later taken into a nearby alley, leading to the former Rosie O'Grady's pub, where he was grabbed and attacked.

Detective Inspector David Hunt, who is leading the investigation, appealed for club-goers or any other witnesses to contact police immediately.

"This was a very serious assault and it is imperative that we find those responsible for it as soon as possible," he said.

The three assailants are said to have left their victim in the alley following the incident and calmly walked away. The man, who lives locally, was left extremely traumatised and is now recovering at home.

Police said the main attacker was in his late thirties, about 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, with mousey brown hair, which he had to keep pushing back from his face. He wore a blue and white hooped polo shirt and spoke with a local accent.

The second man was 5ft 11in tall, skinny, and also had a local accent, while the third was about 5ft 7in, of stocky build and had a stronger Yorkshire accent than the others.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Scarborough police on (01723) 509355 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.