A VICIOUS sex attack on a 26-year-old woman has left police in Harrogate appealing for witnesses.

Detectives believe the woman was assaulted on the A59 Skipton or A61 Ripon road, on Friday night, after accepting a lift from a man she met in a pub.

The victim was drinking in the Pitcher and Piano, in John Street, when she started speaking to a man.

The attacker is described as being white, about 26 years old, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, and with short cropped hair. He spoke with a Scottish accent.

The victim is described as being about 5ft 6in tall, with dark, shoulder-length, swept-back hair. She was wearing a black halterneck top and black trousers.

Officers said the woman left the pub at closing time, about 11.15pm, and got into a car intending to get a lift home from the man.

Police said he drove out of the town and subjected the victim to a serious sexual assault in a lay-by on one of the roads.

At one point, he grabbed the woman by the throat as she struggled to get away.

After the assault, he dumped her in Skipton Road, near the junction of Mornington Terrace, at about midnight.

There she was assisted by three people who were in the area.

A police spokesman said: "This was a vicious sex attack which has left this woman traumatised.

"We are appealing to people who may have been in the Pitcher and Piano, at about 11pm, and may have seen the two together, saw them leaving, or have any other information to contact us on (01423) 505541.

"We also want to speak to anyone in the Skipton Road, Dragon Parade and Mornington Terrace area at about midnight.

"We are particularly trying to trace the driver of a small dark-coloured Mini or Fiesta which stopped near to where the three people found the woman."

Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, October 03, 2001