A woman was attacked in what police believe was a sexually motivated assault in Lower Hutt yesterday.
The 29-year-old victim was left shaken by the attack which happened about 1.20pm on the Moera side of the Hutt river, under the Ava Railway Station foot bridge, near Richmond Grove, Woburn.
Detective Constable Shaun Broughton, of Lower Hutt CIB, said the woman was grabbed from behind by a man, who tried to pull her backwards.
"She struggled against the offender and eventually broke free from him. The offender ran away across the Ava Railway Station foot bridge, toward Alicetown."
The alleged offender was described as Polynesian, of solid build, around 1.87m tall, and carrying a black or navy backpack. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt and a black t-shirt.
Mr Broughton said police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident or anything suspicious in the area between 1.10pm and 1.40pm yesterday.
