A JOGGER who was sexually assaulted by a teenager has thanked Worcester News readers after they helped identify her attacker.

The woman from Worcester, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appealed to find a gang of teenage boys after one of them groped her bottom while she was running around Pitchcroft.

The 46-year-old claims the group of boys were riding mountain bikes and cycled beside her, as they were shouting, laughing at pointing their fingers at her.

She said: “I wish he punched me in the face rather than doing what he did. I would have got over it a lot quicker this.

“I remember the way he touched me. It was very deliberate and prolonged. It wasn’t a glance; it was more of an up and down stroke on my bottom. The touch felt very sexual.”

The woman says the readers who commented on the article generated such a huge response that it enabled the boy to be identified.

She said: “It was the Worcester News writing the story and using the photos that helped identify the lad.

“I’d encourage more people to contact their local newspaper to help keep our community safe.

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“I want to do whatever I can to prevent this from happening again. This was a sick game played by young boys and they will keep playing it until something is done about it.”

The woman said she has suffered psychologically and she has lost her confidence to go on a run alone since the assault.

She added: “It’s frustrating I don’t think the lads even realise the impact it has had on me. I am quite a resilient individual usually.

“I’ve not been back to Pitchcroft yet. Even looking at the gate gives me anxiety and a tight feeling in my stomach.”

She added: “I have spoken to a lot of women about this after the assault. It’s shocking to hear how so many of them have experienced something while out jogging.

“I hope women come together as a community and look out for one another. My biggest fear is what comes next if people think it’s normal to shout abuse at women while they’re out running.

“There needs to be a stigma against this.

“It’s a devastating experience. My case proves that it can quickly escalate into something more serious.”

The police are continuing to investigate the attack, which happened on July 14, and will be speaking to the boy.