A teenager has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a young boy.

The assault happened at around 9pm on Friday, July 20, after the victim was followed from Billericay High Street into the Mill Meadows nature reserve.

The teenager was approached by a man who initially demanded the boy hand over his money, bag and phone.

He then indecently exposed himself to the victim and sexually assaulted him before fleeing the scene.

A teenager has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The 16-year-old boy from the Basildon area was arrested today, Friday, August 10 on suspicion of sexual assault and is currently in custody for questioning.