A teenage girl escaped a sex attacker by stubbing a cigarette out in his face.

The incident happened in Nottingham Road, Croydon on Saturday 10 October.

The 18 year old woman had been with friends at the Green Dragon pub in Surrey Street on the night of Friday 9 October.

As she stood talking to a friend at the junction of Scarbrook Street and Surrey Street at around 2.30am, a man she did not know approached her and she rebuffed him, telling him she wasn't interested in him.

Later, at 3.20am, as she was walking up Nottingham Road, the same man approached her and put his arm around her shoulder. She shouted to him to get off. He tightened his grip on her as he sexually assaulted her.

The victim stamped on his foot and stubbed her cigarette out in his face. The suspect casually walked away along Nottingham Road, towards Warham Road.

The man is a dark skinned black man about 35 years, of medium build and approximately 5ft 11ins to 6ft tall with a shaved head. He was wearing a light coloured jumper and possibly jeans.

The incident is being investigated by the Sapphire Team based at Sutton. Detective Constable Julieann Wilson said: "The victim is sure this was the man who had been pestering her and her friend earlier in the evening.

"We want to hear from anyone who was around the Green Dragon pub in Croydon town centre in the early hours of Saturday October 10. Did you see a man of this description talking to any young women? Did he talk to you?

"I also want to hear from anyone who knows a man of this description who has acquired a burn on his face since October 10. We are not sure where on his face it was but it is likely to have been a fairly serious burn and may have needed treatment."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4106 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.