A man sexually assaulted a teenager in the middle of a road near The Oracle on Saturday (February 12).

The victim, aged in her late teens, was followed from the underpass by the Hook and Tackle Pub, in Katesgrove Lane, to the middle of a pedestrian crossing on Bridge Street.

While on the crossing island the man repeatedly groped the victim, who was ‘distressed’ and repeatedly told him to stop, according to police.

Reading Chronicle: An island crossing on Bridge Street opposite the OracleAn island crossing on Bridge Street opposite the Oracle

An unknown woman then joined them on the island and appeared concerned about the situation, before the victim managed to run away and hide from the offender.

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Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which occured between 12pm and 12.20pm.

Police described the offender as a lighter-skinned mixed race man, aged in his late fifties to early sixties, approximately 5ft 11ins tall, of large build with short dark brown hair and dark stubble.

Reading Chronicle: The Hook and Tackle pubThe Hook and Tackle pub

He was wearing a dark blue t-shirt, a leather biker jacket, ripped blue jeans and a wedding ring.

Police described the witness as a dark-skinned woman, aged in her thirties, about 5ft 8ins tall with black hair.

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She was wearing square-framed black glasses, a black suit with a white shirt and a grey tie and high heels and was holding a black briefcase.

Reading Chronicle: The underpassThe underpass

She was also wearing engagement and wedding rings along with red dangly earrings.

PC Natasha Black, based at Reading police station, said: “I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to please come forward.

“I would particularly like to speak to the woman described who is believed to have witnessed it as well as any who recognises the offender.

“Anyone with information should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference 43220070333.

“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or via its website.”