Police are urging a man who is believed to have spoken to a rape victim minutes before she was attacked to come forward.

Detectives investigating the rape of the 20-year-old woman in Warrior Square, Hastings, last Friday are anxious to talk to a man, called Les, who she met that night at the Admiral Benbow pub.

The man is not considered a suspect but may hold vital clues to the moments leading up to her attack. She is believed to have returned to the man's home, near Warrior Square, then left at around 11pm.

While walking home though Warrior Square she was approached by three men, who are described as Eastern European. They grabbed her and she was raped on the pavement.

Det Sgt Lorraine Clarke, who is heading the investigation, said: "We know the lady met a man in the Admiral Benbow pub that evening. We believe he is called Les and would appeal for him to come forward.

"I must state that we are not viewing him as a suspect in this case, so he need not fear talking to us but he may have some vital evidence about the time leading up to the attack. We think the lady walked with the man back to his house where she said goodbye and she then walked into Warrior Square.

"Les can ring me directly on 01424 456016 or he can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if he would prefer, but we really would like to talk to him."

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