A 15-YEAR-OLD girl dressed in school uniform was sexually assaulted on a busy bus on her way home from school by a knife-wielding man.

The man, who was in his late 40s, toyed with his knife and stared at the girl for the duration of her journey after he had touched her. He remained silent throughout.

The teenager had got on the 718 Durham to Stanley bus at 4.40pm to travel from Durham to her home in Sacriston and took up her seat about two thirds of the way down the single deck bus. As she did so she noticed a man, in his late 40s, sitting at the rear.

As the bus pulled away he left his seat and sat next to her. He tried to carry out an indecent assault but the girl pushed him away. He then produced a silver handled knife with a six inch blade. The girl alighted at her normal stop and told her mother who informed the police.

Detective sergeant Eric Malkim of Durham CID appealed for other passengers on the bus, particularly two couples who were sat nearby, to come forward. He said: "I'm sure the fact that he left his seat and sat deliberately next to a young girl must have caught someone's eye. This was a very disturbing incident and I hope any fellow passengers who saw anything will come forward. In particular we need to find out at what stop this man got off the bus."

The offender was tanned, of average build, 5ft 10in with short dark hair going grey and dark brown eyes. He wore a dark blue round neck T-shirt and faded blue jeans.

Updated 15.20, Thursday, July 12