POLICE have warned New Year revellers to take extra care after a young woman was dragged into a city centre alleyway yesterday and subjected to an horrific sexual assault.

The 29-year-old, who had earlier been enjoying a Boxing Day night out with friends in a pub packed with revellers, was left distraught by the attack in the early hours of yesterday.

It was the third sex attack in Ripon, North Yorkshire, in four months.

Although police say the three assaults are not linked, they have sent out an urgent warning to women to avoid walking home alone at night over the New Year.

The latest victim left the Royal Oak, on Kirkgate, and walked past the Black Bull pub, on the market place, where she is believed to have stopped and talked to a man.

Moments later, she was grabbed as she passed the junction of North Street and Allhallowgate, pulled into an arched alleyway, known locally as a ginnel, and assaulted.

Police said she managed to make her way home "in a very distressed condition".

The only description she was able to give of her attacker was that he was powerfully built with dark hair.

Detective Inspector Neil Thewsey, who is leading the inquiry, said it was imperative that the offender was caught as quickly as possible.

"There were quite a lot of revellers out and about and I hope they will not hesitate to come forward and help us," he said.

Det Insp Thewsey added that it was essential for women not to be making their way home alone after a night out, particularly with New Year's Eve getting closer.

"Walk with a friend or take a taxi, preferably pre-booked, but don't take the risk of walking alone down quiet, dark streets.

"Sex attacks are very infrequent in North Yorkshire, but that is no reason to take risks," he said.

In August, a 15-year-old girl and a woman were assaulted in separate incidents in the city centre within three days.

The teenager was dragged along North Street before being assaulted in the early hours of the morning, while a woman in her late twenties was pushed to the ground and attacked by a man in Park Street.

In October, a 26-year-old woman was also sexually assaulted after she accepted a lift home from a man she met in a Harrogate pub.

The attack took place in a lay-by on either the A61 road to Ripon or the A59 to Skipton.

Anyone who has information about the latest assault is urged to contact police on (01423) 505541.