A "violent thug'' on the run from police has been meeting women online for dates and allegedly assaulted a Northland woman in a prolonged attack.
Police have been looking for Jessie Heke-Gray since September when he breached his prison release conditions by leaving approved accommodation in Otara, Auckland.
They believe the 32-year-old has fled to Northland and has been evading authorities since.
In April 2009, Heke-Gray was jailed for eight years after he pleaded guilty to a violent sexual attack on a woman in Nelson.
He admitted one charge of rape, two of unlawful sexual connection, two of assaulting a female and one of injuring with intent to injure after a violent attack on a 21-year-old woman at a local hostel.
Inspector Al Symonds said police believe Heke-Gray has been active on the internet and been meeting women for dates through social media sites and mobile phone apps.
He allegedly assaulted one woman who he met for a date on October 25. Police allege it was a "violent, prolonged attack''.
Later that day police deployed the armed offenders squad to a Whangarei address, after receiving information he may be there. However Heke-Gray remains on the run.
"He presents as a normal, approachable man. He could come across as a good catch but trust me he's not. He's a violent thug, particularly towards women,'' Mr Symonds said.
"Police have further information to suggest that Heke-Gray has been active on social media in the past few days and is attempting to meet women in person, as recently as last Sunday.''
Police said Heke-Gray has a history of violence towards women.
"He is believed to be a meth user and is displaying signs of paranoia. He is also believed to have access to weapons, including a firearm,'' Mr Symonds said. "Jessie Heke-Gray is a very dangerous man. We need help to find him sooner rather than later.''
Tryphina House Women's Refuge in Whangarei has advised women to tread cautiously when talking to people online they have never met.
"We have had one or two cases in the last two years where the relationship of women who met men online did not turn out to be what they had expected,'' support worker Jill Gray said.
"We can't stop women going online but we can advise them to be careful who they choose to meet up with,'' she said.
