DETECTIVES in Braintree have released this e-fit of a man they want to speak to in connection with a rape that allegedly took place in August last year.

Simon Tomlinson

DETECTIVES in Braintree have released this e-fit of a man they want to speak to in connection with a rape that allegedly took place in August last year.

Police say a teenage woman was attacked in an alleyway between Brownings Road and Thackeray Close in Braintree between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

The woman has tried to put the incident behind her and did not report it to police.

However, she has now come forward after allegedly seeing the suspect on the Goldingham Drive estate in Braintree on a number of occasions.

Detective Inspector Ronnie Egan, of Essex police, said: “This was a traumatic experience for the young woman involved and she has tried to deal with it in her own way.

“Now that she has seen the man responsible it has brought the events back to the forefront of her mind.

“We are now able to offer her specialist support while we investigate the crime. This is the only serious sexual assault of this nature in the Braintree area since that date.”

The suspect is described as white, in his 20s, 5ft 7ins to 6ft with dark brown, spiked hair.

Detectives are particularly keen to identify a woman carrying shopping bags who walked past the alleyway at the time of the offence.

This woman was aged 30 to 40 and had medium-length dark hair. That woman, anyone who knows her or anyone with information about the attack is urged to call Braintree police on 0300 333 4444, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.