RESIDENTS today told how they heard screaming as a sex attacker set upon a 14-year-old girl.Police have launched an investigation into the attempted sexual assault, which happened about 10.

RESIDENTS today told how they heard screaming as a sex attacker set upon a 14-year-old girl.

Police have launched an investigation into the attempted sexual assault, which happened about 10.20pm yesterday in the area of St Johns Road and Ringham Road, Ipswich.

The victim suffered her ordeal when a man approached her from behind and put his hands round her neck, forcing her to the ground.

He had tried to undo her trousers when he was interrupted by residents alerted to her screams.

Tony Pearson, of St Johns Road, said his wife witnessed part of the incident.

He said: “My wife saw a guy on top of the woman and then saw him run off up Ringham Road.

”I was in bed at the time but I heard the girl's screams. It's shocking.”

Another man, aged 36, came out of his house after hearing the victim cry out.

He said: “I heard some screaming, looked out and saw a man sitting with the girl comforting her. This must have been just after it had happened. The victim was screaming. It's terrible.”

A 60-year-old, who also went out to try and help, recalled hearing screaming and seeing a group of around six people.

He said: “There was a lot of yelling otherwise I would not have gone out there because there is always shouting over there.”

The girl had sat down on a bench at the junction of Ringham Road and St Johns Road moments earlier when she was approached by the man who asked her the time.

She told him the time and the man walked off up Ringham Road.

Feeling uncomfortable about the man, she then began to make her way home but heard footsteps behind her.

The man the put his arm around her neck, pulled her backwards into a nearby garden and pushed her to the ground.

He placed an unknown object to the girl's throat and attempted to undo her trousers.

The girl screamed and residents from neighbouring houses came out. The man then ran off up Ringham Road.

ACTING detective sergeant Mark Dua today appealed for help in finding the man responsible for the attack.

The offender wore an orange T-shirt with three or four yellow stripes across the chest and pale blue or grey jogging bottoms.

He is described as white, of medium build and in his early 20s.

Ds Dua, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a particularly distressing assault.

“We have quite a distinctive description of the defendant and the T-shirt he was wearing and would appeal to anyone around the St Johns Road or Ringham Road area at the time of about 10.20 to 10.30pm yesterday, or anyone who may recognise the description of the man to come forward.

“We would like to reassure people that incidents such as this are rare but we would suggest that people are vigilant and consider their personal safety when out and about.”

Anyone with information about the attack should call Acting Detective Sergeant Mark Dua at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.