Sex attack on Essex woman deemed 'vile'

Detectives have called a sex attack on an Essex woman "disgusting and vile".

The woman, in her late teens, was walking home near Wickford Avenue and Rectory Road in Basildon early on Sunday near a group of people.

A man, described as 5ft 6in (1.6m) and of slim build, left the group and indecently assaulted her, running off when she screamed, police said.

Det Sgt Peter McCormack said: "This was a disgusting and vile attack on a young woman on her way home."

He added: "I urge anyone that saw anything or who knows the attacker to come forward."

Police want to speak to a group of people who comforted the woman.

The attacker was wearing jeans and a dark and light coloured hoodie with bold, horizontal stripes.