20 January, 2017

Self-defence in the News - No. 96

Young Woman Fights Attacker


JONATHAN CARSON


January 19 2017





A young woman managed to fight off and escape from a sexually-motivated attacker in a public toilet in Richmond.

The 18-year-old woman was driving through Richmond, near Nelson, when she stopped at Jubilee Park to use the public toilet between 11.30pm and 12am on Wednesday.

While inside, she was assaulted by a man, described as Maori, in his 40s and of large build.

He had a distinctive thick beard that came down to his chest area and bushy eyebrows.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Johnston, of Nelson Bays police, said the woman fought back and managed to "scare him off".

She suffered minor grazing as a result of the struggle.

"The victim is understandably shaken but thankfully was not seriously injured," Johnston said.

Based on what occurred during the attack, police believed it was sexually-motivated.

The woman immediately called police who searched the area but did not find the man.

Police are appealing for information from the public to help identify the offender.

Johnston said police would like to hear from anyone who was in the Gladstone Rd area between 11.30pm-12am last night and may have seen or heard anything suspicious.

"If you believe you know who this man might be police would like to hear from you," Johnston said.

He said police completed a scene examination on Thursday morning and were speaking to people in the area.

Johnston said on Thursday afternoon members of the public had not yet offered information in relation to the incident.

Information can be reported to Nelson police n 03 546 3840. Alternatively, anonymous information can be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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