A man leapt out at a woman as she cycled along an alleyway in Colchester late at night.
He left his victim shocked by the prank, which happened in the alley which runs from Paxman Avenue near Alderman Blaxill School.
The stranger did not say anything to the woman and she cycled on uninjured but shaken by the experience.
Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester CID, said: "We'd like to hear from anybody who knows anyone who may be responsible or has encountered a man doing something similar."
He added: "It's unclear what his motive was but if the man thought it was a jolly joke it certainly isn't if you are on the receiving end."
Anyone with information about the incident yesterday, should call police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
Published Tuesday January 6, 2004
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