A TEENAGE girl escaped from the clutches of a sex attacker who dragged her into college grounds.

The 14-year-old victim bravely fought off the pervert after being grabbed from behind.

She was returning from the shops in Wolviston Road, Billingham, Teesside, on Friday afternoon at about 4.45pm when her ordeal began.

As she walked along Grosmont Drive past the Holy Rosary Church, a man who had been hiding in the church grounds grabbed her from behind.

Putting his right hand across her mouth and his left arm across her throat, he dragged her along Grosmont Drive, across Sidlaw Road and into the grounds of Stockton and Billingham College.

As he pulled her into a copse of trees, the terrified girl fought her attacker and hit him in the face. During the struggle she managed to escape.

Inspector Steve Bakewell, of Cleveland Police, said: "This was a serious attack which severely traumatised the young girl.

"She appears to have been dragged across quite some distance, and at that time of day someone must have witnessed it.

The attacker is described as white, aged about 19, about 5ft 9in tall and of average build. He was wearing a dark hooded top zipped up, dark Adidas training trousers and white Nike trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Kevin Sweeney on (01642) 302426 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.