A MAN was violently sexually assaulted and robbed as he walked along a major Southampton road.

The 22-year-old was attacked near the Vospers sports ground as he walked home from a friend’s house along Portsmouth Road, heading towards Bursledon.

He was confronted by a man who assaulted him and stole his mobile phone, before leading him into woodland opposite the Veal’s store, where he was subjected to what police have described as a “serious sexual assault”.

The victim was left with facial injuries.

The attacker is described as a white man, aged in his early 20s with a local accent, around 5ft 8 inches tall and of skinny build with a skinny face. He had stubble on his face and shaped eyebrows which looked like they may have been plucked.

He also wore a navy or black hooded top with stripes on the sleeves, and is thought to have been riding a BMX-style bike with distinctive pegs protruding from the rear axle and slightly larger wheels than normal.

Anyone with information about the assault, which happened at around 3am last Saturday, should call the Western Area CID Team at Southampton Central Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.