A SEX attacker knocked on a young woman’s door and assaulted her.

The victim, who is in her 20s, had just got back to her East Oxford home when she was attacked at about 1.45am yesterday.

Police say a man asked for a glass of water at the house in Marston Street, off Cowley Road, before trying to kiss the woman and then sexually assaulting her.

She screamed and the man ran off.

Police described the suspect as Thai, Indian or possibly mixed race. They said he was in his late 30s or early 40s, about 5ft 4in tall, of stocky build, with chubby cheeks and stubble.

He was wearing a black leather jacket over a yellow hooded top.

Police were yesterday speaking to residents and running reassurance patrols. Det Insp John Turner said: “This was a very nasty attack on a woman in her home, which has left her badly shocked. Thankfully this kind of attack is very rare in Oxford. We are doing everything to locate this man.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.