Brighton sex assaults might be linked

Police believe that three local sex assaults might have been perpetrated by the same man.

CCTV of the suspect has been released in the hope that someone may recognise him.

The male is described as being of mixed race, tall and in his late thirties, with flat black afro-style hair and wearing square-rimmed glasses.

One of the images released by police shows the male shortly after one of the attacks which happened on Sunday 06 October at approximately 05:30. The man is alleged to have approached a woman before attacking her on Marine Parade at the junction of Seymour Street.

The woman resisted and was able to free herself and run away.

On Saturday 05 October at around 18:25 another woman was approached by a man as she was sat outside All Bar One in Pavilion Buildings. The man grabbed the woman and kissed her on the lips. She pushed him away and managed to run away.

The man is described here as black, slim, about 1.82m tall and wearing a black track suit possibly with white stripes down the arms. Police have published an image of the suspect below.

A third attack, which took place at 01:35 on Wednesday 24 July, is thought to be linked to the same male. This attack occurred in Ditchling Road at the junction with Princes Crescent. A man approached a woman before sexually assaulting her.

The suspect was described as a mixed race man, of medium build, in his 30s or 40s. He is described as speaking in broken English.

In each of the attacks the man tried to engage the women in conversations before attacking them.

Detective Inspector Duncan Elliott of the Brighton Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "These were very frightening experiences for the women, who have been receiving support and assistance from specialist officers.

"We have issued these two images in the hope someone may recognise or identify the man in either of the images and will be able to assist with the ongoing intensive investigation which began in July.

"If you were in the areas at those times and saw anything of the incidents, even without perhaps realising what was happening at the time, or if you saw any other suspicious activity or can help us identify this man, please contact us.”

You can contact Sussex Police online via the police website, or by calling 101.