Woman attacked in Portsmouth while walking her dog through churchyard

A WOMAN was attacked in the early hours of this morning while she walked through a churchyard with her dog.
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Police are investigating reports that a woman in her 50s was assaulted in St Mary’s Churchyard in Fratton at 3am today, by a man she did not know.

The unprovoked attack left the woman with facial injuries.

Her attacker was white, aged in his 20s or 30s, with dark curly hair at ear length and he had a rucksack on his back.

St Mary's Church, Fratton. Picture: Malcolm WellsSt Mary's Church, Fratton. Picture: Malcolm Wells
St Mary's Church, Fratton. Picture: Malcolm Wells
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Police say he was wearing a light-coloured top and ‘Harry Potter’ style glasses.

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Inspector Marcus Kennedy said: ‘The investigation is in the early stages at this time and officers have been conducting enquiries in the area today.

‘Local officers will also be carrying out increased patrols in this area in light of this incident, and we are encouraging anyone who lives or walks through this area of Fratton and thinks they know who the person responsible for this assault is to please get in touch with us.’

Officers believe there was another man walking through the churchyard before the attack, and have urged him to get in touch with them as soon as possible.

The woman's injuries did not require hospital treatment.

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Anyone with information about this assault is asked to call police on 101, quoting the crime reference number 44200260042.

Alternatively, you can call the charity Crimestoppers to report information anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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