A WOMAN has been sexually assaulted while walking along a busy path in Basingstoke after a hooded man slapped her in the face.

Police are hunting for the man who carried out the attack on the 55-year-old woman on Wednesday morning.  

The incident took place between 10.20am and 10.30am on Wednesday morning, then woman was walking along the path which runs behind the Worting Road Cemetery, and the man in a hooded top approached her.

The man then slapped her in the face before sexually assaulting her. The attack was only stopped when the victim’s dog bit the man.

Police are hunting for a the man described as a white male, in his late teens or early 20s and about 5ft 9ins tall.

He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up at the time of the assault.  

Detective Constable Dan Leese, of Basingstoke CID, said: “This is a rare incident to take place in Basingstoke, and we would like anyone with information about what happened to contact us as soon as possible.

“It took place during the day, on a busy footpath that leads to a footbridge over the ring road.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Dan Leese on 101, quoting 44160241704, or call call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111,