FEARS of a copycat attacker in Melksham are increasing after a young girl was indecently assaulted near a town centre pub.

The victim, who is not being identified, was walking past the West End pub in Semington Road in the early hours of Sunday morning, March 17, when a man tried to grab and kiss her.

As she pulled away, the attacker, believed to be in his 30s, grabbed a pair of shoes out of her hands and hit her over the head with them.

Suffering bruising, cuts and scratches to her face and neck, the traumatised woman fled the scene.

Police are not linking this attack with two sex assaults in the town in December, but there are fears it could be the work of a copycat.

Mayor Vic Oakman has pleaded with young women in the town not to walk home on their own.

He said: "People should not have a false sense of security, it is still not wise for young women to walk home on their own."

Sgt Alan Strike of Melksham police said the victim was walking home alone at about 2.20am on Sunday morning when she was assaulted.

He said: "We will be making inquiries in pubs and clubs.

"We believe the attacker had been out in the evening as well and will be looking at security camera footage.

"We are not linking this attack with the ones in December.

"We have no witnesses so anyone who saw this attack should come forward."

The attacker is described as white, aged 30, about 5ft 3ins, with a slim build. He was wearing glasses.

The Wiltshire Times and Wiltshire police produced 3,000 warning leaflets advising women not to walk home alone at night.

They were handed out in town centre pubs and clubs.

Detectives on Operation Coldcall, which is still one of the largest ever sex attack inquiries in west Wiltshire, are still investigating a serious assault on December 7.

A 19-year-old was forced to her knees and subjected to a 20-minute sexual assault.

The attack was initially linked to the second attack on December 30 but no-one has yet been charged.

Martin Palmer, of Foresters Park Road, Melksham appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Monday, charged with attempted rape and robbery.

Palmer, 28, appeared only to confirm his name and address.

He is accused of attempting to rape a 21-year-old woman and stealing her handbag.

Palmer will next appear on April 29 for a plea and directions hearing.