Woman raped at major polo event

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/sussex/8261896.stm

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A woman was raped at one of the world's most prestigious polo events, police have revealed.

The victim, who lives near Chichester, had spent the day at the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup final at Viscount Cowdray's estate in West Sussex.

When the 23-year-old went in search of her friends in a nearby field where cars where parked, she was approached by a man, police said.

She was then pushed to the ground and seriously sexually assaulted.

The incident took place at around midnight on 19 July.

Det Sgt Mark Gowling, of Chichester CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty assault, and although a number of lines of inquiry have been followed up we need the help of the public to try and get some information.

"This attack happened in a field where vehicles were parked and we're hoping that someone was there who may have seen something but not realised its significance."

The suspect has been described as a white male aged between 25 and 30, about 5ft 7in tall and of a thin build.

Cowdray Park is recognised worldwide as the home of British polo which has been played there for almost a century.