Police are searching for a man after an attempted knifepoint robbery and sexual assault near Plaistow Park.
The woman was returning from work at around 10.30pm on Wednesday, May 3 when she heard someone running behind her in Fentons Avenue.
She turned and saw a man wearing a balaclava pull out a knife.
He demanded money from her before throwing her bag on the floor when she was able to prove she had no cash.
Then, without warning, the man exposed himself to her and threatened the victim with sexual assault.
After grabbing and forcefully kissing her, he ran away.
Detectives from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command (CASO) today released CCTV footage and an e-fit of a man they want to speak to in connection to the incident.
The video shows a man in the area of the crime shortly before it took place.
He is described as black, aged between 18 and 23, around 5ft 5ins tall with short black hair and scars or spots on his cheeks.
He wore a rolled-up balaclava as a hat, dark trousers and trainers, and a distinctive dark jacket or top, police said.
The garment, they added, had a dark strip going to midway down the front, dark sleeves with a light patch on the left arm and was lighter on the torso.
DC Tom Prosser, of CASO, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim which has left her shaken and scared to go out.
“The suspect is clearly a dangerous individual who we need to identify.”
He asked anyone with information to call 020 8217 7415 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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