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Schoolgirl Sexually Assaulted Walking Home From School In St Leonards. A schoolgirl under the age of 16 was sexually assaulted in a field just metres from her school in a broad daylight attack that has sparked anger and fear across St Leonards-on-Sea. The disturbing incident took place around 3:05pm on Monday, July 20, just minutes after school ended for the day. The victim, described only as a "teenage girl" in police appeals, is believed to have been a pupil from The St Leonards Academy, a co-educational secondary school for ages 11 to 16 located directly on Edinburgh Road. She was reportedly in school uniform and using one of the familiar footpaths and fields that many children from the academy take on their way to and from school when the man approached her. He grabbed the girl and sexually assaulted her by touching before she managed to break free and run to safety. The attacker then fled in the direction of Filsham Road. The suspect is described as a white male aged between 25 and 35, between 5ft 9in and 5ft 11in tall, with light brown curly hair and stubble. He was last seen wearing a red jacket and dark blue jeans. Detective Inspector Barry Chandler said specially trained officers are supporting the victim and that patrols have been increased in the area. Yet many locals are angry that official statements have stopped short of confirming the obvious, that the victim was a schoolgirl walking home from The St Leonards Academy along routes used daily by pupils. On local Facebook groups and community pages, parents have been vocal. One mother posted: "It's 3pm on Edinburgh Road by the school fields, of course it's one of our kids from the academy. Why hide that it's a girl in uniform walking home? My daughter uses that exact path." Another wrote: "This is every parent's nightmare. The school needs to send something out instead of staying silent while we all panic." Comments under the official police appeal are filled with similar frustration, with dozens calling for more transparency and extra safety measures around school finishing times. Parents living nearby have also revealed how their children regularly walk the same paths after school finishes around 3pm. The St Leonards Academy sits right on Edinburgh Road with playing fields and green spaces leading into the very areas where the assault happened. The timing, location, and the age of the victim all point strongly to her being a pupil heading home in uniform, yet this context has been omitted from public updates. Residents are now escorting children or avoiding the shortcuts altogether while the investigation continues. Anyone with information, CCTV or doorbell footage is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting reference number 929 of 20/07. #UKNews #CrimeNews #StLeonards