A TEENAGE girl and another woman were sexually assaulted in separate attacks in the space of three days in a city centre.

The 15-year-old girl was dragged along North Street, Ripon, North Yorkshire, and subjected to a terrifying sex attack by a man in the early hours of Tuesday.

The attack happened between 2am and 3am as the girl walked along the street. A 37-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail.

Police yesterday ruled out a connection between the incident and another sexual assault on a woman, in her late twenties, at about 2.30am last Saturday.

She was pushed to the ground in Park Street and attacked by a man who also stole some cash from her.

The attacker was said to be white, aged between 25 and 30, about 5ft 5in, chubby, and wore a shirt, light-coloured trousers and a navy jacket. A man has been arrested and is on police bail.

Detectives are anxious to speak to a man and woman who were having a heated argument at the junction of Park Street and Church Lane at the time.

Witnesses to either attack are asked to contact police on (01423) 505541.