THE VICTIM of a masked attacker, who assaulted her in a parked car before fleeing into the sea and dying, has today described the terrifying ordeal – as she reveals she is still haunted by his image and suffers horrifying flashbacks.

Ann-Marie Haime was sat in the car with a 10-year-old girl outside the Co-op store in Easton Square, Portland, when the attacker approached the vehicle.

The child ran from the car as he jumped inside, attacking Anne-Marie as he wrestled to get the keys, before pinning her down to stop her getting out as he started the engine. He fled the scene after her friend ran out of the store and came to her aid.

Members of the public living near to the scene formed search parties in a failed attempt to find the culprit. A police helicopter was also brought in to aid the search, but the attacker entered the sea at Church Ope Cove. His body was discovered 12 days later at Durdle Pier.

Reliving the terrifying July 19 order, Ms Haime said: “I was sat in the passenger seat with a 10-year-old girl waiting for my partner and another male friend to go to the shop.

"While they were in the shop, a male appeared at the driver’s side, looking into the car. He then said ‘hi to me and I said ‘hi’ back. He then asked to buy the car and I said ‘no’ because it was not mine to sell.

"I leant over to grab the keys. In doing that, I screamed at the 10-year-old to get out of the car. He then jumped in and attacked me for the keys but he got them off of me.

"I then saw I wasn't going to get anywhere so I tried to get out of the car. When doing that he pinned me down and wouldn't let me go. He started the car up to drive off. Luckily, the male friend came running out managed to get the masked attacker off me.

"I then managed to get out of the car to a lady who took me in and looked after me and I can't thank her enough. He did hurt my arms and wrists, they were sore for a while.

"I didn't have a police officer staying with me when they turned up because they drove straight off trying to search for the man. The police had the car for a week to gather evidence and I won't ever get in the car again.

"Physically and mentally, I'm struggling every day; everywhere I go I see him. Constant flashbacks, constantly thinking about what would have happened if he drove off with me.

"I didn't find out he was found dead until three weeks later through social media."