A TERRIFIED woman was grabbed from behind by a masked assailant and touched inappropriately as she walked in an underpass in Basildon. 

The attack took place in an underpass at the Upper Mayne roundabout in Basildon on February 8.

The victim was walking through the underpass at around 8.10pm when the assailant came behind her and grabbed her tightly.

The woman's daughter told the Echo her mum was able to run away and get help from passersby. 

She said: “At first mum though it was my brother because he can joke around like that but then the man’s grip became firmer and he tried to pull her towards a bush.

“She felt something was wrong so she started screaming then the man touched her inappropriately before letting go and running away.

“Mum ended up running all the way to Pipps Hill before a couple helped her out by calling the police.

“Officers arrived and ended up taking some of mum’s clothes for DNA evidence, we’re still waiting for more updates.”

The suspect was wearing a mask, a beige jacket, dark trousers and dark shoes, the only part of his skin that was revealed was his hands, which were described as ‘young looking.’

The victim’s daughter said her mum was "quite shaken up" following the incident and worried about going out or whenever her children leave the house.

Essex Police has since launched an appeal to help find the suspect.

A spokesman for the force said: “We are appealing for any witnesses or dashcam footage following reports of a sexual assault in Basildon.

“Officers were called to Upper Mayne at about 8.25pm on Thursday 8 February.

“It was reported a suspect had approached the victim from behind and sexually assaulted her before leaving the scene.

“The suspect was described as a slim man in his 30s, wearing a beige coat with the hood raised.

“If anyone has any information, witnessed this attack or has dashcam footage from the area, please get in touch quoting incident number 1146 of Thursday, February 8.”

Reports can be made online with police’s live chat service or through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org/.