Police hunt sex attacker (From Witney Gazette)

Police hunt sex attacker

2:44pm Monday 2nd October 2006 in Witney

THIS is the man police believe tried to indecently assault an 11-year-old school in a village near Abingdon last month.

Detectives released the computer generated image in a bid to prompt witnesses to come forward with information about the attack.

And they have not ruled out that it is the same man who carried out a similar attack in Bampton, as the men in both incidents were wearing blue shorts.

"The blue shorts are a common factor in both attacks, so we are not ruling out a link at this stage," said Kate Smith, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police.

The 11-year-old girl was walking down Stonehill Lane, Southmoor, at 5.40pm, on September 14, when she was approached by a man who tried to indecently assault her.

The attacker is white, 5ft 7in tall, and in his late 20s to 30s. He has dark brown hair, and was wearing a white T-shirt and knee-length blue shorts.

PC Chris Ball, of Thames Valley Police, who is based at Wantage, said: "I believe this E-fit is a very good likeness of the attacker, and I hope that someone will look at it and be reminded of a person they suspect."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Ball, at Wantage police, on 08458 505505, or call Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111.

In Bampton, on Wednesday, September 6, a ten-year-old girl was groped by a balding, middle-aged man, wearing running gear, as she walked along Bushey Row path at about 5pm.

Police failed to release details of that attack until five days later, when they made an appeal for witnesses. The attacker was described as a white man, wearing a white T-shirt, blue shorts, and trainers.

After the assault, he fled towards the village centre shops. The young girl ran home and called the police, who searched the area, but made no arrest.