A SEX pest who groped a dog walker in a secluded area of woodland could be the same pervert who struck earlier in the summer, it has been revealed.

The victim, a women in her fifties, was walking her dog in Highwood Nature Reserve on Kingfisher Drive last week when a stranger pounced from behind.

She moved aside to let the man past, but he reached out and groped her above her clothing. The attacker was described as 50 years old, white, around 6ft all and large.

The shocking attack follows a similar incident in June when a man grabbed another dog walker in the same area of woodland before running away as she screamed.

Thames Valley Police officers believe the two incidents could be linked and have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Constable Erika King said: "I'd like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the offence or saw a man matching this description in the area to contact police.

"We are linking this incident to another sexual assault which took place in Highwood Nature Reserve at around 2pm on 2 June, where another woman was walking her dogs when a man walked up behind her and touched her inappropriately over her clothing. In this instance, the victim shouted and the offender ran off.

"An investigation is in place for both offences and I would urge anyone who saw either of these incidents to place contact police. If you have any information, please call Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting incident reference 43170251896."

Neither victims were physically injured in either of the incidents.

The attacker was wearing a dark-coloured baseball cap, a dark short-sleeved polo shirt and dark-coloured chinos or cargo trousers.

A police spokesman added: "At 12.10pm on Wednesday August 24, a woman in her fifties was walking her dog in Highwood Nature Reserve on Kingfisher Drive when a man walked up behind her.

"As the victim moved aside to let him pass, the offender touched her inappropriately over her clothing. He then jogged away."