POLICE are warning women not to walk home alone after a second sex attack within 18 months in the same North Yorkshire village.

A man pounced on a 23-year-old woman as she walked home through Colburn, near Catterick, from the Staxx night club in September 1999.

And, in the early hours of Sunday morning, a 16-year-old was pulled to the ground and sexually assaulted in a similar incident which happened only yards from the first.

Detectives have still to confirm if the same man is responsible for both attacks, but women living in the area were warned yesterday not to walk home alone after dark and to avoid areas where an attacker would find it easy to lie in wait.

The latest attack happened some time between 1.30am and 2.30am and police are keen to speak to anyone who may have heard shouting coming from the Colburn sports fields around that time.

The victim had also spent a night with a friend at Staxx, and had walked with her to a burger van on Catterick Road where they parted company.

She then walked through the industrial estate and was taking a short cut across the football pitches when her attacker struck.

She was unable to give police a description but remembered he spoke with a North Yorkshire accent.

Anyone who can help the investigation can contact police by telephoning (01609) 783131.