A WOMAN needed to be seen by a doctor after she was subjected to a nasty attack while walking down the street.

The 18-year-old was walking along Leather Lane, in Haverhill, at about 9.45am yesterday, when a man approached her from behind and tugged on her handbag, pulling her backwards against a fence.

The man, who was in his forties, 6ft and of slim build, then produced a shard of glass and pushed it against her neck and stomach, causing small scratch marks. He also took a bottle from a bag and squirted a liquid, believed to be bleach, into her mouth.

He was then disturbed by a noise behind him and the woman managed to run home. She was seen by her doctor but required no further medical attention for her injuries.

The attacker had short dark curly hair and was clean-shaven. He wore a dark blue long-sleeved hooded top, straight blue denim jeans and trainers. He also wore black fleece gloves and carried a blue shopping bag.

Dc Jenny Gant, from Bury St Edmunds CID, said: “This is an unusual assault where we will be making further enquiries to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident. It is important that we hear from anyone who was in the area who may have seen this man.”

Calls in relation to this incident should be made to Dc Jenny Gant at Bury St Edmunds CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.