A terrified Auckland mother was bashed in the head after confronting an intruder she found standing over her baby's cot on Father's Day, police say.
The Glen Eden woman awoke about 11.50pm on September 7 to find the man, who smelt heavily of alcohol and cigarettes, standing over the cot.
The man had unlocked a ranch slider door at her Glengarry Rd home and entered the room both she and the baby were sleeping in.
When the mother confronted the man, she was punched around the head and face. She was left with severe facial bruising, including two black eyes.
The offender fled the house and ran towards Parrs Park on West Coast Rd.
The woman called police, but the man could not be found despite searches by officers and a police dog unit.
"This was a very frightening experience for the victim, in the place where everyone should expect to feel safe," Detective Derek Elima of Waitakere police said.
"We're obviously very keen to catch this man as soon as possible. This man may have been drinking somewhere in the area prior to this attack."
The man was described as being of medium to solid build and wearing a hoodie.
"It was the Sunday night of Father's Day that this happened, and if you were in the Glen Eden area, we'd ask that you think back and recall if you saw someone fitting this description."
Anyone with information could contact Mr Elima on 09 839 0600 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
