A 19-YEAR-OLD woman was raped as she walked home after a night out.

Detectives are hunting the man who grabbed her from behind and raped her before running off.

It happened shortly after 2am on Sunday when she was walking on a pavement between London Road and St Margaret’s Road, St Leonards.

The attacker is described as about 5ft 9in, with brown tanned skin, and with a beard.

He was wearing a black hoody and a scarf.

Detective Inspector Hannah Willard appealed for anyone who might be able to help the investigation to come forward.

She added: “This was an horrific experience for the young woman, who is badly shocked.

“There is no recent record of attacks like this in the area, but we want to find this man before he tries to carry out anything similar.”

Contact the police on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting Operation Platinum.