Waiheke Island. Photo Getty
An English tourist attacked by a teenager while walking
on Waiheke Island yesterday had been in the country only a few
days, police say.
Sergeant Peter Knight said the 29-year-old was assaulted on a
walking track between Delamore Drive and Owhanake Bay, near
Oneroa, yesterday afternoon.
"It's a reasonably used track but it's not the busiest on the
island."
Mr Knight said the woman managed to escape and get help from
builders working nearby.
They called police who allege they found the accused at the
other end of the track shortly afterwards.
Mr Knight said the woman had planned to stay on Waiheke for a
night or two but had gone back to the mainland following the
incident.
"She's pretty shaken up, obviously."
Cane Norton Kelland, 17, appeared in Auckland District Court
this afternoon charged with injuring with intent and sexually
violation.
Public defender Jo Scott said Kelland had "low intellectual
ability" and had been living with a foster mother on Waiheke
Island.
Judge Eddie Paul said there was a "concerning" email to the
court from Child, Youth and Family, which recommended Kelland
not be kept in custody with adult prisoners.
Judge Paul made the recommendation that Kelland be kept
separate from adult prisoners and also be considered for the
special needs custody unit.
Ms Scott made no application for bail but said the matter may
be brought before the court if an appropriate bail address
could be found.
Kelland was remanded in custody until next month.
- Matthew Theunissen and Kieran Campbell of APNZ
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