Hutt Valley Police are firmly focussed on finding the person responsible for a serious sexual assault on a woman at knifepoint near Melling yesterday.
Detective Sergeant Nick Pritchard of Hutt Valley CIB said a large team of staff were investigating the assault, which happened shortly after 1pm yesterday when the woman in her early 30s was out walking during her lunch break along the Hutt Riverbank near Mills St, Melling.
“This was a cowardly and violent assault and I can assure the community that we have a dedicated team of investigators who are committed to finding the person responsible as soon as possible.”
Mr Pritchard said the woman had left her workplace in Lower Hut about 12.50pm yesterday, walking north along the path beside the riverbank behind the Harvey Norman Centre at Melling, before passing under the Melling Bridge and heading towards Mills St.
About 10-15 minutes later, as she turned around at a sign advising the track was closed, a man armed with knife grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her in nearby bushes. During the attack, she was also kicked in the head and stomped on, sustaining facial and other injuries.
“The victim is understandably traumatised by what has happened and we are continuing to provide her with the appropriate support,” Mr Pritchard said. “She has also received medical treatment for her injuries.
“Thanks to the information she has provided, we are looking for a man of slim to average build, with light brown skin, aged in his 20s. He was wearing a dark-coloured long sleeve top, knee-length shorts, a hat and also gloves, possibly fingerless.
“In the meantime, we are appealing for anyone with information about this attack to make contact. Someone out there will know this person and we ask them to do the right thing and either get in touch with the Hutt Valley CIB directly, or anonymously via the organisation CrimeStoppers. We also invite the person responsible to do the right thing and step forward.”
Mr Pritchard said as the area was popular with dog walkers, and other recreational users, there was a good chance someone may have seen or heard something relevant to the investigation.
“We would like to speak to everyone who was in the general area between Harvey Norman at Melling and the Mills Street area of the Hutt riverbank either just before, at or after around 1pm yesterday.”
Anyone with information can contact Hutt Valley Police on 04 560 2600, or anonymously via the organisation CrimeStoppers, ph 088 555 111.
ENDS
Police media contact: Ross Henderson, PNHQ Public Affairs, ph 021 192 2919.