A LONE female was robbed and sexually assaulted in an alleyway in Halstead by two hooded men.

The distressed victim was grabbed by the sex offenders and hurt.

Her trousers were ripped and handbag pulled off her.

The men then fled with her phone and more than a hundred pounds in cash, as well as the handbag.

Witnesses are being urged to come forward to find the men who attacked the woman, who is aged in her 20s, between Trinity Street and Colne Valley Close, Halstead.

It happened at about 4am on Sunday morning.

The woman managed to call police to report the robbery and sexual assault.

Fortunately, she escaped with bruising and minor physical injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

She has given police descriptions of the men responsible for the terrible attack.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police are looking for men described as being between 5ft 8ins and 6ft tall, wearing dark clothes and tops with their hoods up.”

Police are keen to speak to anyone in the area who saw or heard anything, or who may have seen two men acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the attack.

Detectives also hope someone may have captured footage of the attackers before or after the incident.

Anyone with information, dash cam or CCTV footage around the time of the incident is asked to contact Braintree CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/22682/18.

Witnesses or people with information can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.