Woman feared man would rape her

A woman who fought off her attacker with a stick has said she feared the man was going to rape her.

The woman in her 40s was indecently assaulted on Wednesday afternoon in Londonderry.

Police are investigating the incident which happened in the Beragh Hill Road area on the outskirts of the city.

"I would walk regularly and would walk the same route. I came up to Beragh Hill Road and out of the blue I heard footsteps behind me," said the victim.

"He kept pace with me but perhaps seven or eight steps behind me. I had a mobile but thought if I tried to call somebody it would distract me and maybe he could do something.

"Near the end of that road I could see windows of the house and thought I was home and dry.

"And just then he grabbed me from behind and stuck his hand down inside my top.

"I was stunned, but I had a stick so I just hit him on his forehead, the left hand side and I think that probably shocked him."

The lady said she usually carried a stick while walking in case she met a dog.

"I kept hitting him until he ran off and disappeared.

"I just thought how dare he invade my space, how dare anybody do that. It was just disgusting," she said.

"That is a lovely walk to do everyday and I will never walk it again. And I usually walk with my iPod. I'm so thankful I didn't have it with me as I never would have heard him."

The woman described the man as being in his late 20s or early 30s, around 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build with tightly cut hair. He was wearing a black padded jacket with jeans and shoes.

Police have asked for any witnesses to contact them.