A TEENAGE girl was sexually assaulted near a church in Cheltenham town centre just before 8am on Sunday morning.
The 17-year-old was walking along Trinity Lane, behind Trinity Cheltenham church, when she was attacked by a man believed to be in his mid 40s.
After the assault, the man walked away in the direction of Pittville Gate.
The victim described her attacker as African or Indian, in his mid 40s and of stocky build. He had stubble and freckles around his eyes.
He was wearing a black thermal beanie hat with a black cap on top, a blue duffle coat and khaki trousers.
Gloucestershire police's Detective Sergeant Mark Stenhouse has appealed to the local community to call in with any information that may help the investigation.
He said: "We are, of course, taking this incident very seriously and are following a number of lines of enquiry but we are also asking for the community's help.
"If you saw anybody matching this description in the area on Sunday morning please get in touch."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 164 of December 9.
You can also give information anonymously by contacting the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
