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Village 'shocked' by sex assault on Good Samaritan

BBC/Maddy Jennings A picture of a lay-by at the side of a dual carriageway There is grass to the left of the lay-by. The sky is grey, and there is a red car parked in the lay-by. BBC/Maddy Jennings
The assault happened in a lay-by near the Brundall roundabout on the A47

A community said it had been left in shock after a woman who went to help a man who appeared to be in distress was sexually assaulted by him.

Norfolk Police said the attack happened on the eastbound carriageway of the A47 near Brundall, at 20:50 GMT on 30 December.

A woman told police she saw a man lying on the ground in a lay-by but when she pulled over to check his welfare he sexually assaulted her.

Sally Martin, who runs The Ram Inn in Brundall, said she was "devastated" to hear of the attack near her "lovely community".

BBC/Maddy Jennings A picture of a woman with shoulder length blonde hair wearing a fluffy, yellow hoodie. She has a fringe and is smiling. BBC/Maddy Jennings
Sally Martin said the attack had made her think twice about helping in a similar situation

"It's disappointing that someone tried to help and ended up being the victim," Ms Martin said.

"Now, I wouldn't stop to help anyone."

Gaynor Gladwin, 61, who works in a nearby shop, said the news was "surprising" in the otherwise quiet village.

"It was totally unexpected; it's not something that you'd expect around here at all.

"It was a bit of a shock for us woman who live locally. You don't expect it literally down the road."

Ms Gladwin added the attack had made her feel worried for her colleagues who had to travel home in the dark.

BBC/Maddy Jennings A woman looks into the camera. She has a blonde fringe, and glasses on the top of her head. She is wearing a brown scarf and a dark blue zip-up fleece. She is standing in a shop, and in the background there are products stacked along the wall. BBC/Maddy Jennings
Gaynor Gladwin said the assault had been shocking to local women

Pat Goody, 84, agreed with Ms Gladwin, and said the attack was "terrifying".

"It's shocking to know that something like this has happened near our village," she said.

Police have asked for anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to contact them.

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