Dog walker assaulted at nature reserve

A WOMAN was sexually assaulted while walking her dog in Woodley last week and police believe that the attack is linked to a similar attack that took place in June.

The attack happened in Highwood Nature Reserve off Kingfisher Drive at 12.10pm on Wednesday, August 24.

The woman in her 50s was walking her dog when a man came up behind her. Thames Valley Police said that as she moved aside to let him pass, the offender touched her inappropriately over her clothing before jogging away.

The victim was not injured.

The offender is described as a white man, approximately 50, around 6ft, of a large build, with fair hair. He was believed to be wearing a dark coloured baseball cap and a dark shortsleeved polo shirt, dark-coloured chinos or cargo trousers, and either dark work boots or dark trainers. He was clean shaven.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Erika King from Loddon Valley police station, said:

“I’d like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the offence or saw a man matching this description in the area to contact police.

“We are linking this incident to another sexual assault which took place in Highwood Nature Reserve at around 2pm on 2 June, where another woman was walking her dogs when a man walked up behind her and touched her inappropriately over her clothing.

“In this instance, the victim shouted and the offender ran off.

“An investigation is in place for both offences and I would urge anyone who saw either of these incidents to place contact police. If you have any information, please call Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting incident reference 43170251896.”