A VICIOUS pervert who sexually attacked a 42-year-old woman in a country lane has shattered a peaceful village community.

People living in the village of Broughton Gifford, near Melksham, were rocked when news of the sexual attack broke on Monday night.

Detectives have launched a hunt for the sex beast, who pulled up beside his 42-year-old victim in Mill Lane, before pinning her to his red car and sexually assaulting her.

The terrifying ordeal happened between 8.30pm and 9.00pm.

Police originally thought the attacker was trying to abduct his victim but now believe his sole intention was a savage sexual assault.

Detectives working on the Broughton Gifford case are liasing closely with detectives in Chippenham investigating the rape of a 22-year-old woman in a town centre churchyard on Friday night.

While detectives remain convinced the two crimes are unconnected they are keeping all options open.

DS Dave Martin, of Trowbridge CID, said officers are scanning the Sex Offenders Register, checking criminal records and trying to trace the offender's red car.

House-to-house inquiries have been taking place since Monday and a photo-fit of the attacker may be released next week as officers urge witnesses to come forward.

Praising the victim's bravery in fighting off the offender, DC Martin said: "Physically she really did fight back and he clearly found it too much. It was a very, very nasty indecent assault but there was no intentional pushing towards the car.

"We have to keep an open mind and are keeping in touch with detectives working on the Chippenham case.

"This is an unusual case. He might not be a local man so why he chose Broughton Gifford I don't know."

Three officers are working on the case but this number may increase if no firm leads come to light.

A barmaid at the Bell on the Common said the sickening attack left her feeling vulnerable.

She said: "We are horrified.

"We work here late at night and walk home. It is worrying. People have been offering me lifts home.

"What is more worrying is that is didn't happen in a dark alleyway; it was in one of the more open parts of the village where there are a lot of houses close by."

Dawn Cuthbertson, clerk of Broughton Gifford Parish Council, said crime was pouring into the village because of the lack of patrolling police officers.

She said: "This is scary for people living in the village. We are seen as a vulnerable community. Increasing police patrols in towns is possibly going to force criminals into the surrounding villages.

"We are used to having quite a sublime existence."

The attacker is described as white, 5ft 8ins, in his early 20s with short, cropped dark hair.

He is described as having a scruffy appearance and was driving a red car.

Anyone with information should contact DC Neil Le Maire or DS Dave Martin on (01225) 763101.