Police were today hunting a man who sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in an underpass.

And they have revealed how a man refused to help the distressed teenager following the attack - and walked away from the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened between 6.15pm and 6.30pm yesterday (WEDS) in the subway beneath the A13 and are particularly keen to speak with a man who was approached by the girl and asked for help.

He refused her plea and continued walking in the direction of Pitsea train station.

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