Invercargill detectives are hoping an appeal for information on Police Ten 7 tomorrow night (Thursday, 21 March) will help find the person who sexually assaulted a young schoolgirl in the city last month.
The assault on the intermediate aged victim happened between 8am and 8.30am on Monday, 4 February as she was walking along Iona Street in the city.
¡°She was minding her own business when she was grabbed from behind, dragged into the nearby Iona Street playground and sexually assaulted,¡± says Detective Aarron Dempsey, Invercargill CIB.
¡°This was a terrifying ordeal and when the attacker became distracted, this young victim seized the chance to run away.??
The person is described as slightly built, wearing a black hoodie, black beanie or cap, black or dark jeans and black shoes.
Detective Dempsey says police have made extensive inquiries in the area and as a result several people have reported seeing a similarly described person sitting near the playground on the morning of the attack.
¡°We¡¯ve also heard from a member of the public who a few weeks before the assault, saw a group of young girls talking with a person matching the description of the offender.? The driver got out of her car and moved the girls along.
¡°We¡¯d like to hear from that group of girls too as they may have very important information,¡± Detective Dempsey says.?
Police are urging people to watch Police Ten, 7.30pm, TVNZ 2 tomorrow night to see if they have information which will help the victim and the investigation team.
The Invercargill case will also be shared from the Police Ten 7 Facebook page to the Southern Police District Facebook page once Police Ten 7 has finished screening.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre