An acne-scarred teenager begged a woman for a hug and a kiss as she walked home then sexually assaulted her.

The victim, a 21-year-old woman from Eastbourne, was walking in Ashburnham Road in the town when she was approached at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 7.

The suspect repeatedly pressured her to kiss him and hug him, and when she refused he became agitated and aggressive.

She feared refusing him again, so said she would give him a hug, but then he grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.

Police say she managed to escape his grasp before he walked away, and now officers are appealing for witnesses.

They say he is a slim 18 or 19-year-old, 5ft 5ins tall, with short light brown hair, light coloured eyes, and acne scarring on his cheeks. He wore a full grey tracksuit.

Investigator Kara Cunnington said: "The victim was not physically injured but was very shaken and upset by this distressing and frightening experience.

“We have no other recent reports of this type in the area.

“If you think you know who this man is, and if you saw what happened or have any other information, please contact us.”

Witnesses or anyone with information about the suspect’s identity can report it online or by calling 101 and quoting serial 1366 of 07.06.

Alternatively contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.