A WOMAN was subjected to a serious sexual assault after being attacked by a man carrying a knife, police said yesterday.

The 26-year-old woman was crossing Scarcroft Park, in York, late on Sunday night when she was confronted by the man.

The incident happened at about 11.30pm, just after the woman left Jackson's supermarket on the corner of Bishopthorpe Road.

She was grabbed by the throat by a man, thought to be in his mid to late 20s, who told her he had a knife.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York police, said: "At this stage we do not know if she had been followed by the man, or whether she had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is one of the things we are trying to discover."

The attacker had broad shoulders, was clean-shaven and had a shaved head with about a quarter inch of growth. He wore a dirty white and grey jacket, which had a stripe across the shoulder, and dark trousers.

Anybody with information is asked to contact the police on (01904) 631321.