A mother was sexually assaulted as she took her three year old son for a walk near their home in Whitton last Thursday.

The man attacked the 25-year-old, then attempted to snatch the child at 9.40am on September 28 when they went out for a walk round the block, because the toddler was getting restless at home.

They left their house in Rodney Road and walked across Collingwood Road where they saw a scruffy looking male standing on the corner. The three-year old pointed him out to his mum and the man smiled at them.

They carried on walking round the block in a semi circle and saw the same man standing in an alleyway in between Collingwood Road and Rodney Road. They passed him and walked towards home.

When they got home the toddler decided he wanted to walk round again and the same man was still hanging around the alleyway.

As they walked past him he grabbed the woman's shoulder and swung her round, he then pushed her into a fence pinning her with his arm across her chest to hold her still.

He then started to indecently touch her through her jeans. She shouted "No!" a couple of times. Her little boy started to shout "Mummy, Mummy!" and kicked the man. The man turned and grabbed the boy walking away towards Collingwood Close, saying "You're coming with me."

The woman, once recovered, ran after the man and her son, and kicked her attacker in the leg.

He stumbled and released the child, who she grabbed and ran, not stopping until they got home.

The attacker was described as white and, 5ft 9in. He had shoulder length brown hair with grey flecks, blue eyes, slim build and spoke with an English accent. He wore a brown leather jacket, blue trousers, white shirt, and black shoes Anyone with information should call DC Mark Benstead on 020 8247 5836 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.