POLICE have released details of a sexual assault that happened near a golf club.

A 24-year-old woman was attacked on Stewards Green Road, Epping, shortly after midnight on Saturday, July 23, by a man in his 40s.

The woman believes she was followed by the man down Bower Hill from Epping station.

The stranger then grabbed her from behind by the arms as she approached a housing estate opposite The Epping Golf Course.

She fought the man off and he ran back down Bower Hill towards the station.

The man is described as white, with a round face and stubble, about 6ft and of a stocky build. He was wearing a red polo shirt and dark trousers.

A police spokeswoman said the incident was reported to police on July 23.

She said it had not previously been made public because officers had been following up lines of inquiry for the past month.

Witnesses or anyone who saw a man following a woman along Bower Hill shortly before the attack should call Pc Lisa Kennedy on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Click here to follow the Epping Forest Guardian on Twitter