A BRAVE 59-year-old woman punched a man who groped her near an underpass.

Police are now appealing for information about the indecent assault, which happened between 6.50pm and 7.30pm on Sunday.

The victim was walking from Basingstoke town centre along Cliddesden Road towards the underpass.

Once in the underpass, she heard a man shouting from behind her. She ignored him and then became aware that he was close to her.

He "touched her in an indecent way and made an inappropriate comment to her", according to police.

She then punched him and carried on walking, and he eventually walked off in the direction he came from.

The woman was shaken but otherwise uninjured.

The suspect is described as:

Aged in his late 20s to mid 30s
Asian, possibly Indian, in appearance
5ft 5-6ins tall
Stocky build
Wearing a dark coloured coat and hooded top, scarf, grey jogging bottoms and trainers

PC Dawn Jenks said: “I’m appealing to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and who may have seen this man.

“I’d especially like to speak with a cyclist who is believed to have ridden past. He is described as a man wearing glasses and a cycling helmet.

“This is a busy underpass used by many people and I’d like to reassure people this is not a frequent occurrence.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Jenks at Basingstoke police station on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.