MONMOUTH Police are searching for witnesses, after a local 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at the weekend, in the latest in a spate of attacks.

The girl was walking from Agincourt Square on the Hereford Road, towards the Osbaston area, when she was approached from behind by two men, at approximately 1.30am in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The men, who were described as in their 30s, assaulted her, but were startled by the headlights of a passing vehicle and ran off back in the direction of Monmouth town centre.

The latest assault is described as "isolated", but comes at a time when two Monmouth males are shortly to appear in court on charges following other unrelated sex attacks.

One local 37-year-old male is appearing before Abergavenny Magistrates tomorrow, after being arrested in connection with an alleged rape at a home near Monmouth town centre, on Sunday, November 24, and another Monmouth male, who is just 15, faces trial in Cardiff Crown Court later this month, accused of carrying out sex attacks on two 14-year-old girls.

He has pleaded not guilty to one charge of rape and not guilty to one charge of sexual assault on one girl; and not guilty to four charges of indecent assault on another.

Monmouth police are making ongoing enquiries into Saturday's incident, and have not yet released further details.

In the meantime, they ap-peal for any witnesses to the incident, particularly the driver of the passing vehicle, to contact them on 01633 838111, or Crimestop-pers on 0800 555111.

Gwent Police have also taken this opportunity to emphasise that women should not walk alone late at night, and always to walk in well-lit areas.