Attempted sexual assault on teenage girl in Brighton alley

The teenager was walking up a street in Hollingbury at about 8pm on Tuesday, July 31, when she was confronted by three older boys, police said.

They forced her into an alleyway where one of them tried to sexually assault her before they made off, the police spokemsan said.

The girl was very upset but was not physically hurt, confirmed police.

The boys were all described as white, aged between 16 and 18, said police.

One was described by police as 6ft with short brown spikey hair, a black t-shirt, dark blue shorts, possibly denim, cut off above the knee, white soled trainers, black on the outside with a red tongue and black laces.

Another was about 5ft 10ins with black or brown hair, slightly tanned, of slightly bigger build, wearing a black or very dark blue t-shirt – possibly ‘Polo’ brand - with two white buttons at the top, a shirt with thick material, short sleeved with no collar, denim shorts, and black trainers with white laces, said police.

Police described the third boy as about 6ft with blond or brown tousled hair, wearing a short sleeve black/dark blue top, black ‘Nike’ shorts with a white tick on the leg, a blue watch, either a FitBit or an Apple.

Detective Constable Leianne Blampied of the Brighton Safeguarding investigations Unit said: “If you were in that area at the time and saw anything suspicious we would like to talk to you.

“In particular we would like to trace a woman believed to be in her fifties or early sixties, short and slim with greying hair and wearing a floral dress and a jacket.

“She walked past as the boys were holding the girl.

“She stopped and spoke to the boys.

“If you are that woman or if you have any other information please contact us online or via 101, quoting serial 1568 of 31/07.”