A NIGHT out ended in terror for a 30-year-old woman after she had to fight off a sex attacker in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens.

The victim was approached near the aviary and bandstand at around 1.45 am on Sunday, March 11 after leaving a nearby pub and becoming separated from her friends.

Detective Constable Shanena Stewart of Bournemouth CID said the woman had been approached by a stranger who grabbed her before molesting her.

She added: “The victim managed to fight off the man who then ran off. I believe he had been loitering around Westover Road before the assault.”

DC Stewart said the victim had suffered minor injuries and been “very upset” by her “distressing” ordeal but had not needed hospital treatment.

The early morning attacker is of mixed race, possibly Asian, aged between 30 and 40 years old and about six feet tall with a broad build.

He has a round face, dark short hair and was wearing a cream jumper and blue jeans.

His victim came from Amesbury in Wiltshire.

DC Stewart appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area at the time to contact Dorset police.

She added: “I would also urge anyone with information about the person responsible to contact us as soon as possible.”

If you can help with the investigation phone 101 in confidence, quoting incident number 11:54, or call the anonymous Crime-stoppers line on 0800 555 111. n julie.magee@ bournemouthecho.co.uk