Witness sought for sexual assault

27 August 2010

Police are releasing CCTV images of a man they believe may have witnessed a woman being sexually assaulted on a Brighton bus.

Detective Constable Mors O'Connor said: "This is a serious and distressing crime. I'm keen to speak to a man who may not have realised any crime was being committed, but may still hold information pertinent to this investigation. The witness is believed to have got on the bus at the Old Steine and spoken to the suspect, who initially sat next to him."

The 24-year-old victim from Brighton was assaulted as she traveled on the Night 25 bus towards Falmer from Churchill Square at around 2.15am on Wednesday 18 August. The witness got off the bus before the victim alerted the bus driver in Coldean Lane, who then contacted the police.

An 18-year-old man from Brighton was arrested in Ditchling Road shortly after the incident on suspicion of sexual assault by touching and released on bail until October 4.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 144 of 18/8 or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.