A YOUNG nightclubber was sexually assaulted after being thrown out of the back doors of an Ipswich nightspot and pounced on by a middle-aged man.The 17-year-old from Felixstowe is today recovering from the traumatic ordeal, but is terrified to venture into Ipswich for fear of seeing her predatory attacker.

A YOUNG nightclubber was sexually assaulted after being thrown out of the back doors of an Ipswich nightspot and pounced on by a middle-aged man.

The 17-year-old from Felixstowe is today recovering from the traumatic ordeal, but is terrified to venture into Ipswich for fear of seeing her predatory attacker.

Police have issued a description of the man and are appealing for witnesses.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was enjoying a night out with a group of friends at the Liquid club in Cardinal Park, when bouncers approached her as she talked to a 15-year-old.

When the pair couldn't prove they were under 18, both were ejected from the club by different doors.

Finding herself outside the back door, the worried 17-year-old was trying to call her friends inside on her mobile phone, when a man aged about 50 spotted her.

But instead of helping her as she had hoped, he preyed on the young girl.

He started making lewd suggestions, and then sexually assaulted her.

One of the girl's friends, also 17, from Trimley St Mary, said: "I went out to see her and she told me what had happened.

"I told the bouncers and asked 'can you do something please?'

"They said 'What do you want us to do?' and I asked them to call the police, which they agreed to do.

"When I asked the bouncers again, they said they hadn't called so I rang the police myself.

"My friend was really upset. There were people drunk and blokes shouting, and we were a bunch of girls."

The police arrived and the girls were driven around in a patrol car, to scour the streets for the offender, but the sex attacker was long gone.

The friend's dad rushed down to pick the girls up at 1am on Friday after the incident.

Dean Robertson, assistant manager of Liquid, said the club had CCTV cameras all around the building, including the back doors, and would be happy to supply the tapes to the police to help them catch the attacker.

"We work very closely with the police and would be happy to help. We do not let under 18s into the club and those below that age would have to leave – 99 per of people are checked for ID."

The club would release a further statement today.

A police spokeswoman said the man wanted in connection with the indecent assault was white, aged about 50, of medium build but with quite a large stomach, receding grey hair, and was wearing black jacket, jumper and trousers.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Matthew Kidd-Stanton on 01473 613500.