THE victim of a savage sex attacker broke her silence last night in a bid to catch her assailant before he strikes again.

The mother-of-two was subjected to a terrifying sex assault - described by one detective as the worst he had seen in 27 years - as she walked with her children in a quiet lane.

Last night, she told The Northern Echo: "I thought I was going to die."

Detectives leading the hunt hope the victim's bravery will prompt more people to come forward with crucial information.

The young mother was walking with her two children and her dog on Bank Holiday Monday on May 7 when she saw a man crouching in bushes in Green Lane, Darlington, County Durham.

The woman said: "He was smiling at me, so I smiled back. I may have said 'hello' to him.

"He came over quite quickly. I thought he might have been after my bag, and I told him I had nothing for him. I didn't think he was going to attack me. He looked too young."

The attacker, who detectives believe is aged between 14 and 18, pushed her to the ground and carried out a serious sexual assault.

She said: "I was terrified, but I tried to keep my thoughts calm and controlled. I tried to reason with him but he would not listen. He was very calm, very methodical. He didn't lose his temper, even though I was screaming and shouting.

"He put his hands over my mouth. His hands were unusual, very broad. I started praying to God to get me through it. I thought I was going to die."

Afterwards, he ran away towards playing fields nearby.

Eventually, the woman managed to walk to a nearby street and raise the alarm.

Since the attack, she has been unable to go to work. She said: "I get so depressed I feel physically ill, like a knife twisting in my stomach."

"The reason I am speaking out is I do not want this to happen to anyone else. But I want him to know that he picked the wrong person."

Detective Inspector Ian Phillips, who is leading the investigation, said: "The public must realise the severity of this attack."

The victim was carrying a teddy bear, a detail which police hope will help people to remember her. The park was busy, and she spoke to a man whose two-year-old daughter was playing on swings.

Detectives urged potential witnesses to come forward, including a couple with a small child seen walking into Green Lane from the Glebe Road entrance at about 4pm, the owner of a small black hatchback car parked on the corner of the lane at the playing fields, and allotment holders.

Police are also looking for a bright pink hair clip with crystals which was lost by the victim during the attack.

The attacker is described as between 14 and 17, 5ft 8in, of stocky build with a round face and honey-coloured hair. He had a local accent.

Detectives can be contacted on (01325) 742120.