DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a woman in her early 20s was sexually assaulted as she walked along a country road.

The incident happened on Monday, May 18 sometime between 9pm and 11pm as the 21-year-old victim made her way from Copeland Row, in Evenwood, onto Copeland Lane to meet a friend.

As the woman headed in the direction of West Auckland she was approached by two men in a light coloured 4x4 vehicle, who stopped alongside her. The driver made a comment to the woman after getting out of the vehicle and took his victim a short distance away to a gated area next to the entrance to Thrusher’s Wood.

He then carried out the assault before getting back into the vehicle and driving off in the direction of West Auckland.

The woman managed to make her way to a nearby farm from where the alarm was raised.

Detective Constable Peter Lonsdale said: “This incident happened in an isolated location which is very dark and was a terrifying experience for the victim.

"However, she is being given every support through counselling.

"We are asking anyone who was in the area between 9pm and 11pm and who saw any suspicious persons or vehicles to contact us.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers 0800-555111.