Male suspected of a sexual assault in Hove

Sussex Police are searching for the identity of a male suspected of a sexual assault in Hove.

The incident occurred on Saturday 1st of September at approximately 06:00. The victim, a 26-year-old woman, was walking home along Western Road in Hove when she noticed a man following her.

The man approached her but she ignored him and continued walking into Palmeria Square where she sat down on a bench hoping he would leave. However, instead he laid down in front of her and refused to move [see photo above].

The woman quickly walked to her nearby home. The man followed her to the steps and sexually assaulted her before she was able to close the door.

He is described as being white, mid-forties, slim, approximately 1.72m tall with grey hair, glasses and a hearing aid.

PC Mark Beaumont said: “We think someone will recognise him from the picture and this distinctive description. If you think you know who he is or have any other information please contact us either online or by calling 101, quoting serial 964 of 01/09.”