AN ATTACKER tried to drag a frightened woman off a city centre street early today - but was thwarted when a passer-by came to her rescue.

The 22-year-old woman had been walking home after a night out with friends at the Gallery nightclub, in Clifford Street, York, when she was attacked by a man outside the Theatre Royal, in St Leonard's Place, at about 1.30am.

Today she told the Evening Press of her ordeal.

She said: "I didn't see him at all, I just knew someone was walking behind me. He put his hand round my neck and tried to drag me into the bushes.

"I was really, really scared. I didn't know what he was going to do."

A man who was walking past saw what was happening and went to the woman's rescue.

He shouted at her attacker telling him to leave her alone and the man, who had remained silent throughout the incident, ran off.

The passer-by then walked the frightened woman to her home and called the police.

The woman, who does not want to be identified, said: "I'm still very shaken up and upset by the whole thing."

She said she would not normally walk home alone late at night.

"I thought it was a really stupid thing to do. I have learned my lesson," she said.

Detective Sergeant Jon Reed, of York CID, said: "I would like to reiterate previous warnings to women to take sensible precautions when walking through the city centre at night. They should try to go accompanied and should stick to well-lit areas."

The attacker was described as 6ft 2ins tall with black hair.

Police in York are also investigating two other incidents to see if they are linked to the attack.

Just after 3am, a woman reported seeing a naked man committing a lewd act near to the fountain in Parliament Street.

He was described as 6ft tall with dark hair.

And at about 12.20am, a man exposed himself to a woman in the Memorial Gardens, in Station Road. He was said to be 5ft 6ins tall and aged about 30.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents should call police in York on 01904 631321.

Today's are the latest in a series of similar incidents which have been reported across the city in recent weeks.

They include sightings of naked men and men exposing themselves or making lewd suggestions to women.

Updated: 15:25 Wednesday, August 08, 2001