Two men have been arrested tonight in connection with a serious sex assault on a lone woman in Hampshire.

They are being quizzed after the woman was attacked as she walked down an alleyway in Andover.

One of the men is Dean Goodwin said Dorset Police who had launched a nationwide manhunt for him after the rape of a woman in Poole on Friday.

Detective inspector Marcus Hester of Dorset Police said: “It was a completely and utterly random attack.”

He said the woman had been badly hurt and that Dorset detectives were liaising with colleagues at the Hampshire Major Crime Team.

“Mr Goodwin is now in custody and also being interviewed on suspicion of attempted murder.”

DI Hester, the officer who has led the hunt for Goodwin, added: “We are very pleased that he is back in custody and we would like to thank the public for all the information they have given us.”

The incident in Andover occured when a woman was grabbed as she walked through the alley and forced into the garden of a derelict building where she was assaulted.

The victim then lost consciousness and suffered bruising and cuts to her face during the incident.

The attack happened between 2.30pm and 7.45pm on Monday when the woman, aged in her 40s, was walking through a covered alleyway which runs through Winton Court in the Heath Vale area of Andover.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Murray, of Hampshire police said tonight: “We have made two arrests in connection with this incident, which was a serious, unprovoked attack on a lone woman. Our enquiries are much ongoing and we are still appealing for information and witnesses.

“If you have any information that can help us, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, please get it touch."

Chief Inspector Simon Dodds, of Hampshire police, said: “We are working closely with the investigation team and our local Safer Neighbourhoods officers are out and about in the area should anyone have any concerns.”

Anyone with any information should contact Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team at Andover police station quoting Operation Weavers on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.