out door to door inquiries in a bid to catch the attacker.

The woman awoke in her bed at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday to find a man standing over her.

Detectives said he sexually assaulted her, before threatening to rape her, and then beat her around the face with a telephone as she tried to call for help.

She finally managed to escape and raise the alarm to neighbours, but the attacker fled.

She needed treatment to her face and mouth, but was later released from hospital.

Last night a Police spokeswoman said: "We are still taking statements from the victim and the people living nearby who she went to.

"We would not say anything to people at this time that we would not normally say. It is good crime prevention advice to keep your windows and doors secured, even when you are home, especially at night.'' Anyone with information should call Police on 295-0011.