POLICE would like to speak with a man after a woman was assaulted.

Officers said they would like to speak with Darren Ball after a woman was assaulted in Burnley last month.

The woman had a hot drink thrown in her face and her mobile phone smashed in the incident, which took place on December 29, a police spokesman said.

Sgt Gary Hennighan from Burnley Police has warned Mr Bell it is 'only a matter of time' before police find him.

He said: “If you have seen or know where Darren Bell is, please get in contact with us as soon as possible.

“I would also urge Bell, if he sees this appeal, to attend his local police station as it is only a matter of time before we find him.”

Mr Bell is described as 5ft 5ins tall, of slim build with short dark brown hair.

He has a scar on his upper left cheek and a tattoo of ‘Shy Guy’ on his neck.

He has links to Burnley and may be sleeping in his car, a Volkswagen Passat a spokesman said.

Anyone with information should call 01282 472124 or if they fail to get an answer, 101, quoting incident reference 968 of December 29th.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.