POLICE are hunting an attacker who injured a woman in her home.
The middle-aged woman was awoken by sounds in the early hours of Saturday in the house in South Stanley, County Durham.
When confronted, it is understood the man repeatedly punched the woman before fleeing the premises.
He made off, empty-handed, via Wear Road, heading for Stanley town centre.
A witness described the man running up Wear Road, passing a couple heading in the opposite direction, possibly from a night out in the town centre.
Police would like that couple to come forward and appealed for help from any other witness.
The man was between 25 and 40, 5ft 8in, slim, wore a dark waxed-type jacket, dark trousers and dark woolly hat.
The victim was treated by ambulance personnel for facial and other head injuries, but did not need hospital treatment.
Detective Constable Chris Bentham, of Stanley CID, said she was left "very upset" by the attack. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01207) 232144, or Crimestoppers (0800) 555111.
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