A MAN pinched a woman’s face when she didn’t give him a light for his cigarette in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

The 46-year-old victim, from Canterbury, was walking through the city’s underpass between the Odeon cinema and Fenwicks just after midnight on January 1.

The man, described as mixed race, 5ft 3ins tall, medium build and aged about 30, asked the woman for a light for a cigarette.

When she told him she didn’t have one he grabbed her arm and then pinched her cheek.

The man then ran back the way he had come, towards Fenwicks, and as the woman waited for a taxi she saw him walk up to the city wall.

Police are appealing for witnesses to get in contact, and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01843 222178 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.