Girl fights off man who tore her clothing and tried to grab her dog on Milton Keynes redway

Police have issued an E-fit of the suspected offender, who has distinctive dyed blond shaven hair.

He struck at around 8.30pm on Tuesday as the 17-year-old victim was walking her dog along the redway near Wolverton Road, from Giffard Park towards the canal near the Black Horse pub.

She noticed a man walking towards her and when he got closer, he asked to borrow her phone.

She refused, saying it was at home. He then asked her name and where she lived.

He then patted her dog, which frightened the animal. When the victim asked him to stop, he tried to pick up the dog,

“The victim pushed him away and he stumbled but then grabbed her and grabbed at her clothing,” said a police spokesman.

The girl rushed him away, picked up her pet and tried to run off. But the stranger grabbed her from behind so hard that it tore her top.

She kept running until she gave him the slip and could call for help.

The offender is mixed race, aged around 40, 6ft tall and very skinny. He was wearing a large light blue baggy jumper, a skinny black tracksuit and navy fingerless gloves.

PC Stephanie Powierski said: “This was obviously a very upsetting incident for the victim who has shown remarkable bravery during this incident.”

She added: “We would ask if anyone recognises the offender from the image or anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us via 101 or to call Crimestoppers

Anybody with information should contact PC Powierski via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.