A TEENAGE girl was assaulted as she walked home from a drunken night out.

The 17-year-old was walking through Billingham in the early hours of Saturday when she was grabbed from behind by a man and thrown to the ground.

She managed to kick the attacker in the groin and run off, but police are appealing for one of the victim's friends to come forward, or anyone who saw the incident.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the victim had gone to the Stoney Oak pub, in Billingham, at about 10.20pm on Friday, having already had five whisky and cokes.

She told officers she was tipsy, but aware of what was happening.

At the pub, she spoke to a girl she only knew as Clare, who was with an unknown man.

At about midnight, the teenager was escorted off the premises by staff, having become drunk, and began to walk home along High Grange Avenue.

She continued along Marsh House Avenue, to the rear car park of the Merlin pub and then towards a shortcut leading to Sherburn Avenue.

In the cut, she looked back to see the man who had been with Clare earlier.

"He caught up to her, spun her around, pushed her against the fence and attempted to kiss her," said the police spokeswoman.

"She struggled and he pushed her to the ground, keeping her head down. The victim managed to kick him in the groin and run off towards Wingate Avenue."

The man is described as in his early 20s, white, about 5ft 8ins, of medium build, clean shaven, with short brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt.

The victim is described as white, 5ft 6ins, of big build and with a pale complexion. She had a long extension in her brown hair and was wearing a grey, knee-length dress, black diamond tights and black high shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Deborah Fenney on (01642) 302226.