A WOMAN was assaulted in the street after she refused to hand over money.

The 19-year-old victim was walking in Avon Way, near to Alefounder Close, in Colchhester, when she was approached by three men, one of whom was wearing a balaclava.

They asked her if she had any money but as she tried to walk away, one of the men grabbed her by the head, held her and made sexually suggestive remarks.

The victim managed to flee the scene but fell as she made her escape.

Detectives have issued an efit of one of the men - which social media users have pointed out bears a resemblance to Canadian singer Justin Bieber - and have asked for the public’s help in finding him.

Allan Stevenson, 25, who lives off Avon Way, said: “I know exactly what will have happened.

“I see guys standing at that corner behind the wall.

“They’re there quite a lot and you can’t see them as you walk up Avon Way and if they wanted to get someone, it would be there because the person would have no chance.

“You have to be really careful there once it gets dark.”

He added: “It’s good that she got away and I think the fact that people have been saying it looks like Justin Bieber will actually help because it’s all over every - one’s Facebook and if he’s round here again, people will notice him.”

A woman whose home backs onto Avon Way from Alefounder Close said police had been speaking to residents to find out if anyone had seen or heard anything.

She added: “I’ve been speak - ing to people here and nobody has seen or heard anything, which actually worries me.

“I’m glad the police are taking it seriously.”

The attack happened between 8.30pm and 9pm on Saturday, July 30 but details were released by Essex Police for the first time on Sunday.

The man wearing the bala - clava is described as white with blue eyes, possibly with a pierced right eyebrow and is about 6ft tall.

He wore a grey tracksuit hooded top with a black logo on the front, white boxer shorts, grey tracksuit bottoms and white Reebok trainers.

The second man is white, aged in his late 20s, of ‘fat’ build, about 6ft tall, with brown short hair and a piercing to his right ear with a ‘stretcher’ earring designed to widen the hole.

He had writing tattooed on his right middle finger and wore a grey hoodie, black jogging bottoms and yellow Timberland boots.

The third man, who is the subject of the police efit, is of mixed race, about 6ft tall and aged in his late 20s.

He is of skinny build, with brown hair gelled forward.

He wore a grey Lonsdale tracksuit with a plain white t-shirt underneath.

Anyone who witnessed the attack or who knows any of the men involved should contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.