Police today appealed for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted in Bicester.

A 23-year-old woman was walking home from a party at the Highfield Social Club and as she reached the end of Lawrence Way, a man grabbed her and attempted to pull her into a nearby alleyway.

The woman struggled with the man and ran away, but not before she was sexually assaulted.

The assault happened at about 11pm on March 12, but details were only released this afternoon.

Police said the attack was not being linked to two earlier sex assaults in the town in November and January.

The man was described as white, about 5ft 8in tall, slim and aged in his thirties. He had very short mousey brown hair and a goatee-style beard.

Det Con Mark Torrington said: “I would urge anyone who recognises this man, or who knows who the offender is, to come forward and speak to me as soon as possible.

“This incident is not being connected to the two other sexual assaults in the town on November 27 and January 13.

“Extra patrols have been carried out in the area to reassure local residents.”

Anyone with information about the identity of this man, or about the incident, should contact Det Con Torrington at Bicester CID on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.