Plea to help catch sex 'creep'

Police tape off areas around the entranceways to Ross Creek tracks yesterday after a woman was...
Police tape off areas around the entranceways to Ross Creek tracks yesterday after a woman was sexually assaulted on Monday evening. Graphic by ODT. Click to enlarge

A Maori Hill man who helped a Dunedin woman following a traumatic sexual attack has called on the public to help police catch the ''creep'' responsible.

The 23-year-old woman ran to a Cannington Rd address and banged on the door for help after being tied-up and sexually assaulted in the Ross Creek Reserve about 9.15pm on Monday in what police believe was a random ''blitz-type attack''.

A team of more than 20 detectives and uniformed officers, including a specialist search team from Christchurch, are investigating the assault.

Police are following several leads in the hunt for the man responsible.

''Anybody who was in the Ross Creek area at the time, I would strongly encourage them to get in touch with the police because this creep needs to be found,'' the Cannington Rd homeowner told the Otago Daily Times.

He did not want to comment on the condition of the victim, but indicated she was very upset following the harrowing attack.

He advised others using the reserve to exercise caution while the offender remained at large.

''I would encourage anyone who is going for a jog to not go by themselves,'' the man, who did not wish to be identified, said.

''And anybody who was in the area really should get in touch with police, even if they think they didn't see anything, because you never know.

''This guy is a menace and needs to be stopped before he does something worse.''

Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis said the woman was running through the reserve when she was attacked by an assailant dressed in black.

''This is a stranger attack and one we take particularly seriously,'' he said.

''A blitz-type attack on her from behind by what she describes as a male person wearing black clothes.''

The offender bound the woman with material police believed he brought to the scene. Det Snr Sgt Croudis would not elaborate on what was used to tie the woman.

She did not see her assailant's face.

The man - described by the victim as a tall and skinny European wearing black shoes, a black T-shirt, and a pair of black ''Skins'' compression wear with white writing - was distracted during the attack by a light-coloured dog.

''He took flight and left the scene,'' Det Snr Sgt Croudis said.

The victim remained at the scene for some time after the attack, wary of her attacker's possible continued presence. Her cries for help were heard by a Rockside Rd resident.

''She managed to escape ... and made her way to that Cannington Rd address.''

Police had spoken to a person they believed owned the dog which scared the man, and wanted to hear from anyone else walking a light-coloured dog in the area about 9pm.

About 15 people had come forward to provide police with information, but they wanted to hear from anyone who was in the area between 7pm and 10pm.

Potential suspects had been identified by police intelligence, but Det Snr Sgt Croudis would not comment on their identities.

ESR forensic staff carried out a scene examination yesterday afternoon and a scene search was also conducted.

It was not clear when those inquiries would be completed, but the cordons were still in place today. 

Det Snr Sgt Croudis expected recreational users to return to the area once cordons were lifted, but he asked them to be cautious.

''We expect people to be vigilant and if there's someone there that doesn't fit ... then let us know,'' he said.

''Until we bring someone to justice, I'm very concerned about the nature and the type of attack it was.

''My view is it is random,'' he said.

''Based on my knowledge of her account and the area, I would be very surprised if she was sought out in particular as a victim.''

Such attacks were ''extremely rare'' in Dunedin, he said.

''We may have had five or six of these in Dunedin over [the past 20 years].

''So they are most unusual. They are of concern because of the nature of their premeditation and the trauma that an attack like this will leave on a victim for the rest of their life.''

Nearby residents were shaken by news of the attack, Det Snr Sgt Croudis said.

''A lot of us walk in there alone,'' one Braeview Cr resident said.

''I'm not going in until he's caught. It just makes you feel so vulnerable.''

Another resident said the attack had put her off walking in the area at night.

Det Snr Sgt Croudis called on anyone in the area on Monday night to come forward.

''We need the public to help us,'' he said.

''A lot of people use that area and a lot of people may not know that ... we had an assailant in the area and we had a victim.

''We would really appreciate any persons coming forward and giving us an indication of anyone that they might have seen, that was suspicious or wearing that black clothing, especially those black `Skins' because they are quite distinctive.

''Those are the people that can help us out in trying to paint a picture of where people went and how long they were in the vicinity.''

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz

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