A FRIGHTENED woman was pulled to the ground and raped in a darkened park after she stopped to look for a lost earring, it has been revealed.

The victim, a 20-year-old woman, was cycling through Palmer Park in the early hours of the morning when she noticed she had lost her jewellery.

As she was looking, a rapist appeared and forced her to the ground before raping her.

The attacker then sexually abused the horrified victim once again before fleeing the scene in the direction of London Road.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “Between 11pm on Tuesday, July 31 and 3am on Wednesday, August 1, the victim, a 20-year-old woman, was cycling through Palmer Park when she stopped to look for an earring she had dropped, close to London Road.

“She was approached by a man who she did not know who pulled her to the ground and raped her. The man then further sexually assaulted the victim. The offender then left in the direction of London Road and the victim cycled away in the opposite direction, towards Wokingham Road.”

Her attacker was described as black, between 30 and 40 years old, approximately 6ft tall and bald.

Detective sergeant Nathan Lampard, of Reading Force CID, said: "Detectives are investigating this report of rape and I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information which could assist the investigation.

"People in the community are likely to notice an increased presence of police officers in the area, as house-to-house and CCTV enquiries take place.

"The victim is being offered the support of specially trained officers following this incident.

"Anyone who has any information, or wishes to raise anything, should approach and speak to an officer in the area or call us on 101."