Runner chased and sexually assaulted by man in Cheltenham

Police are appealing for witnesses after a runner was sexually assaulted.

Gloucestershire Police say a woman aged in her 30s was running on the Honeybourne Line in Cheltenham when the incident happened on Sunday.

Police said the man appeared to be talking to himself and was walking around in circles. As the woman passed him, he began to run after her and touched her bottom, the force said.

The man is described as being white, in his 40s and about 5ft 7in (1.7m) tall.

Police added the man was described as being of a slim build, had a reddish-blonde bushy beard and was wearing a pale blue neckerchief, a dirty grey Beanie hat, a round-necked jumper and jeans worn low, revealing boxer shorts beneath.

He was also described as wearing a backpack.

The woman ran faster after the assault, which happened shortly before 08:30 GMT, and the man then walked off in the opposite direction, towards the town centre, police said.

The incident happened close to the Queen's Road end of the Honeybourne Line.

Officers have urged anyone who may have seen a person acting suspiciously in the area around the time in question, or who has any other information which may be relevant, to contact them.

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