A WOMAN who was raped more than seven years ago has come forward to report her ordeal to police.

The attack happened in May 2008 but the victim has only recently talked to officers after trying to deal with her ordeal on her own since then.

The victim, who was 19 at the time, was walking home after a night out with friends and had gone from The Dingle into Quantock Close in Crawley when she was grabbed by a man shortly after midnight on May 16.

She was attacked at the entrance to the underpass that runs beneath the A23 and the man threatened to hurt her if she screamed for help.

He then pushed her towards nearby bushes and raped her before fleeing after being disturbed by a noise.

Police have released an e-fit of a man they want to speak to. He was white, about 35, of medium build and about 6' 3".

He had a tattoo on the centre of his chest and was wearing Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance.

Detective Sergeant Pete Yarrow said: "The victim has been badly affected by what happened to her and has struggled to come to terms with it on her own over the last seven years.

"She has now gathered the courage to contact us and tell us about her ordeal so we can look for the man that raped her.

"We are determined to find the man involved, who may have other victims who have also been too scared to come forward but who will now feel confident enough to speak out.

"We will investigate any report of rape no matter when the victim contacts us and I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the efit to contact us.

"Thankfully rapes are extremely rare but each and every one is traumatic for the victim and will be investigated thoroughly."

Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 306 of May 13, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.