A 19-YEAR-OLD woman was raped and sexually assaulted on a country track near Watlington.

A 30-year-old man was last night in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault following the incident in Stoney Lane at about 11.30am on Tuesday.

Police have described the sex attacker as a man of Mediterranean appearance, with short black hair, light stubble and of average height. He was wearing a leather jacket, a blue or green T-shirt, bright blue jeans and sunglasses.

Police also believe he was driving a yellow Fiat van before the attack.

Investigating officer Det Insp Louise Roddy, of Force CID, urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward.

She said: “If you saw a man and, or a woman in the Stoney Lane area of Watlington at this time, or saw a yellow vehicle, then please contact police immediately via 101.

“Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”

And she added: “I would like to reassure members of the community that sexual assaults such as these are extremely rare, and that Thames Valley Police is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.”