A SHOCKED 91-year-old woman is being comforted by her family after she was indecently assaulted by a man who got into her car and told her to drive off.

A 19-year-old man is tonight in custody after he was arrested by Cleveland Police earlier in the day on suspicion of indecent assault in connection with the incident.

The woman told police she had pulled up outside the Salvation Army building on Westgate, Guisborough, at about 9.20am on Sunday morning when a man got in and told her to drive.

PC Neil Robinson, of Cleveland Police, told The Northern Echo: "The man got into the car and asked her for a lift. She was a bit intimated so she said yes. He told her to drive down the high street and she asked him where to, and he told her to keep driving."

After 300 yards she refused to carry on and pulled up outside the Curtain Boutique shop on Westgate, where he grabbed her with both hands and was said to have carried out a sickening indecent attack.

The frightened pensioner then got out of the car and the suspect ran off. She returned to the Salvation Army building, where she asked for help.

PC Robinson said: "The lady is obviously vulnerable because of her age and she is extremely shaken up.

"She didn't need any hospital treatment but she is very shocked and upset and is getting support from her family.

"Obviously this kind of thing is unusual and we think it is an isolated incident. However it is a serious offence and it is important for us to identify the individual responsible."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Neil Robinson on the non-emergency number 101, or phone independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.