Police are hunting a sex attacker with the word “death” tattooed across his knuckles who tried to rape a teenager in park.

A 19-year-old was walking through Northlands Park, in Felmores Road, Basildon, at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, when she was attacked by a man holding a red and black fishing bag.

She managed to fight the man off and detectives now want to speak to four teenage boys who managed to wrestle back her phone.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “She was approached by a man, while near the smallest bridge in the middle of the park. He asked her for the time and then snatched her phone.

“He then forced her to the ground before attempting to rape her. The woman was able to get away from the attacker.

“Detectives want to urgently trace four people, who helped the woman after the attack.

“They are believed to have been teenage boys who had been in the nearby skate park, and they retrieved the victim’s mobile phone from the man.

“Following this, the man, who was carrying a red and black fishing bag, left the scene.”

The attacker was described as white, between 50 and 60 years old, 6ft3ins tall and of skinny build.

He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms which were ripped and a dirty jean jacket. He had scruffy, shoulder length hair, and a long white beard.

The man had tattoos on both arms, and what is believed to be the word “death” tattooed on his right knuckles. He also had three stars tattooed around his right eye.

The spokesman added: “The victim has been safeguarded. These types of incidents are very rare and there are currently increased patrols in the area.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex Police’s Public Protection Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In May, the Echo told how a dangerous sexual predator who stalked the streets of Basildon was locked up for 20 years.

Saulius Zilinskas, of Great Oxcroft, Laindon, raped a woman in East London on January 14, 2005, and attempted to rape two women, and sexually assaulting another, in Laindon on February 21, 2015.

The 41-year-old was found guilty after a trial at Basildon Crown Court.

Zilinskas already had a conviction for raping a 16-year-old in Lithuania in 2003.