Ref. 71789-24 Kennedy BrownKENNEDY Brown is a hero in his girlfriend's eyes after he bravely saved her from an attacker.

The 17-year-old girl, who does not want to be named, said it terrifies her to think of what could have happened if Mr Brown, 22, had not arrived when he did.

The attack happened in Overbrook, Eldene, on Saturday at 11pm when the girl got off the number 14 bus and walked towards her boyfriend's house after a night out in town.

Mr Brown, a builder, was at his home in Overbrook when he heard his name being screamed.

He said he immediately knew something was wrong.

He opened his front door and looked up the street where he saw his girlfriend's legs thrashing out of a hedge and could hear her screaming.

He said: "As soon as I saw her there I bolted up the road to save her and wanted to catch him.

"He must have heard me coming and ran off up the hill.

"I chased after him but he was just too far ahead of me and I couldn't get him."

Some of Mr Brown's neighbours also chased after the offender but didn't catch him.

Meanwhile, the girl was being comforted by other neighbours and the police were called.

She says she is still shaken up and suffered injuries to the face, neck and shoulders.

She said: "I'm afraid to go out of the house on my own now and even when I go upstairs at home I get nervous.

"It was such a shock. I've been over to Eldene so many times before and I was just returning home from a night out. I would have got a taxi if I hadn't lost my money earlier that evening."

The girl described how the man followed her off the bus when she got off it in Eldene Drive.

She thought he was acting strangely so hurried towards her boyfriend's house.

The man then asked her for directions and said he was lost.

She told him where he was but he then grabbed her face. He pushed her head to the ground and forced her into a hedge.

She said: "I was kicking and screaming.

"I was so scared about what was going to happen.

"I knew I was shouting out Kennedy's name and I was hoping he would hear me when he suddenly appeared.

"He saved me and I dread to think of what might have happened if he hadn't arrived when he did."

Neighbour Liam Parker, 16, said he heard the girl screaming, then he heard someone running down the street followed shortly by three men chasing the attacker up the street.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help catch the man.

He is white, about 6ft and of large build.

He had a closely shaved head and a goatee beard.

He wore a white short-sleeved T-shirt, white trainers and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to call Swindon CID on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Emma-Kate Lidbury