A WOMAN was pushed into a hedge and sexually assaulted as she walked home from a nightclub.

Police have appealed for help to trace a man who attacked his victim after she left the Sound Circus nightclub in Bournemouth in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident took place at around 2.15am on October 13 in Wellington Road, close to the junction with Milton Road.

It happened just minutes after the woman left the Holdenhurst Road club and walked past the Royal Mail depot towards Charminster.

A police spokesman said: “At this point the victim became aware of footsteps behind her and that she was being followed by a man. She called her friend using her mobile phone in an attempt to stop him following her.

“However, as she reached the junction of Milton Road she was pushed from behind and fell into a hedge outside a house.

“The offender then sexually assaulted her. He was scared off by a number of passing vehicles and ran away. “

He said the victim was found by members of the public, who helped her to raise the alarm.

Police Constable Luke Arnold, of North Bournemouth police, said: “This was a very frightening incident for the victim and we are supporting her as our investigation continues.

“I am very keen to hear from members of the public who were in the area at the time. Were you driving along Wellington Road and either witnessed the incident or captured it on dashcam?

“Or did you see a man running away from the area? I would urge anyone with any information to please come forward as your information could be vital to my investigation.

“Members from the local neighbourhood team can be approached with any community concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting occurrence number 55190161570.

Alternatively members of the public can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.