A 16-year-old from Pitsea who was grabbed in the street and brutally raped was today being comforted by her parents.

The traumatised teenager, was attacked by a stranger as she walked home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The rapist pounced as the girl walked by a copse close to Malyons Green on the Felmores estate, Pitsea.

She was then forced into the shrubbery and subjected to a horrific attack.

Police were alerted when the distressed victim arrived at Basildon Hospital with a friend shortly afterwards.

Detectives hunting the rapist today revealed three men may hold vital clues to the attack.

They want to speak to them and anyone else who may have seen them or the victim as she made her way home along Felmores shortly after midnight.

The victim has already been back to the scene with police officers to re-trace her footsteps in a bid to piece together exactly what happened that night.

Det Insp Bob Chatterton of Basildon police is leading the hunt.

He said: "The victim had walked with friends to the kebab van which is parked opposite the Watermill pub.

"Her friends then got a taxi back to Laindon and she started the walk home.

"She was attacked as she passed a copse close to Delvins. Shortly before this she saw three men in the area.

"If you were one of these men or saw them in the area between midnight and 12.40am, we need to hear from you."

If you can help call Basildon CID on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Rape scene - police have taped off the copse where the sex attack took place

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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