A woman from Weymouth was taken to hospital after she was assaulted by a man in a cemetery.

Sometime between 4am and 5am on Saturday, June 29 the victim – a woman aged in her 50s – was walking across the grass from the crematorium through the cemetery off Quibo Lane when she was approached from behind by unknown man.

He grabbed her and following a struggle the pair fell to the ground.

The woman screamed and kicked the man until he ran away. A member of the public who was in the area raised the alarm.

The woman was taken to hospital for treatment to the injuries she sustained.

Police attended and carried out a search of the area but the offender was not located. No arrests have been made.

Following this unprovoked assault, detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The offender is described as aged in his 20s or 30s, clean shaven, with dark hair, which was shaved at the side and longer on top, and had a tanned complexion. He was wearing a light-coloured hooded top, dark-coloured jeans and grey trainers.

Detective Sergeant Rhys Griffiths, of Weymouth CID, said: “We are carrying out a full investigation into this incident. At this moment in time we do not know the motive for this incident and a full investigation is underway to identify the man responsible.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area of the cemetery between the relevant times and either saw or heard anything to please contact Dorset Police.

“Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be continuing their proactive patrols in the area and can be approached with any community concerns.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55190098632.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.