By Hayley Robinson

A CCTV image has been released of a passenger who may have witnessed a serious sexual assault on a Sittingbourne woman.

The 22-year-old victim was followed across London's Victoria station by a man who repeatedly tried to engage her in conversation. The man is then alleged to have forced himself upon her before touching her indecently.

The attack happened in the forecourt area to the right of the main entrance arch of Victoria rail station, by the rear of the Iron Duke public house, at around 5.10pm on Friday, October 9.

The attacker immediately fled the scene following the incident and the victim returned to the station to report what had happened.

British Transport Police detectives have taken the unusual step of releasing a CCTV image of a passenger who may have witness the incident before possibly travelling to Kent.

BTP Detective Constable Andy Parkinson, the investigating officer, said: “We believe this woman could have key information that could assist our investigation into this incident.

“We know from our enquiries so far that the victim reported the incident to this woman and we believe she was catching a train on platform two heading toward the Medway, Ramsgate or Dover areas.

“Anyone who recognises this woman, or who has any information that could assist our investigation into the incident is asked to come forward and contact police.”

A 37-year-old man from Thornton Heath was arrested on Thursday, 15 October on suspicion of sexual assault and has been bailed to return to BTP in late December.

Anyone who has any information about the incident can contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number 429 of 9/10/09, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.