A WOMAN was sexually assaulted by the roadside while she walked home.

The victim in her 30s was approached by a man she did not know at the Worth roundabout in Pound Hill, Crawley.

It happened in the early hours of October 7, near the Co-Op garage. The man walked off in the direction of the Hillside Inn.

Detective Constable John Ford said a 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the sex attack, and has been released under investigation.

He is black, with long hair tied in a ponytail and braided, between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins. He wore a waterproof top with a white hood, and dark trousers.

Det Const Ford said: “We are still appealing for information. The victim has shown great courage in reporting the incident to police and is being supported by specially trained officers.

"The incident took place at the road side and, although it happened in the early hours of the morning, a number of cars are believed to have passed the victim and the man.

"I would ask anyone who was driving in the Worth Corner area between 3.30am and 4.30am on that Sunday morning to call the police if they saw a man who matched this description in the area."

Anyone with information is asked to report it to Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote 211 of 07/10.