Police have revealed an e-fit picture of a man believed to have raped a teenager in a Witham cornfield.

Inquiries continued yesterday (Thursday) into the attack on the 17-year-old woman which detectives have described as "particularly nasty".

Police, who have released this e-fit of the man they are hunting, have received a number of calls from the public about the incident and are checking out possible sightings of the suspect.

Det Sgt Deirdre Nowell, involved in the investigation, said: "We have already had a very good response from the public.

"We have received a number of calls regarding sightings in the area which we are currently dealing with.

"However we still want to hear from anyone in the area at that time who may have seen the victim, her attacker or anything else which may help with inquiries."

Officers have now received the report from forensic specialists following a close examination fingertip search of the scene of the crime and confirmed the area is now clear.

The woman was pushed to the ground in a cornfield near Conrad Road, Witham, at around 5.30pm on Monday.

The victim, who police say is "very distressed", reported the offence about an hour later.

The attacker is described as a tanned white male in his mid-30s, about 6ft tall, medium build with brown short wavy hair which had a flick or a cow's lick in the centre.

He had brown eyes and spoke with a London or Essex accent and had black stubble on his chin. He was wearing a black v-necked short sleeved T-shirt.

Anyone with information can contact the major crimes investigation unit at Stanway, Colchester, on 01206 762122 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or call in to any police station.

Hunted - the police e-fit of the alleged rapist

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