A WOMAN was punched in the face after stopping to help a man staggering along a rural road.

The 20-year-old was driving along Butterwick Lane towards Sedgefield, County Durham, on the night of Thursday, March 19, when she spotted a man who appeared to be in distress.

Concerned for his safety, she stopped her car and went to ask if he was okay, only for him to punch her in the face without warning and run off.

As the incident occurred in darkness, sometime between 9.50pm and 10pm, the victim did not get a good look at her attacker but described him as white and about six feet tall. She was left shocked and bruised.

Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact Sedgefield Police on 101, quoting incident number DHM-19032015-0539, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.