ANOTHER sex attack has been reported not far from the homes of two pensioners who were subjected to degrading indecent assaults.

Police said there were differences between the incidents, in Seaham, County Durham, but were not ruling out a link.

In the latest incident, a 24-year-old woman was indecently assaulted at knifepoint by a masked man as she walked home in the Deneside area, on a footpath between Essex and Ryton crescents, shortly before midnight on Friday, August 8.

The incident has only just come to light as the victim, left with bruises and an injured arm, had to be encouraged to report the ordeal.

Her assailant was between 6ft 2in and 6ft 3in, with broad shoulders and of slim build. He was wearing a dark jacket and trainers. He carried a knife with an 8in blade, curved at the point.

Two days earlier, on Wednesday August 6, a widow in her 80s was woken in the bedroom of her home in Windermere Road, Westlea, to be faced by a masked intruder armed with a knife, who indecently assaulted her.

That attack has been linked to an incident in nearby Watling Avenue, on January 25, when a woman in her 70s woke at 2am to find a masked man, dressed in black. She, too, was subject to a prolonged indecent assault.

Earlier this week, police said they had launched a screening programme in a bid to trace the man responsible.

Saliva swabs are being taken from men in certain age groups to compare them with samples recovered from the incident in Windermere Road.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Tait, who is leading the investigation, said: "There are obvious similarities between the attacks, not least in that they are all within a third of a mile of each other and involve a masked man with a knife.

"We believe the first two were pre-meditated, while the third attack seems to have been opportunistic."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 0191-586 2621, or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.