http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/278699/help-get-person-street-victim
Help get this person off the street: victim
By Hamish McNeilly on Sat, 26 Oct 2013
A police sketch of the man who allegedly attacked a 25-year-old woman in Dunedin on Saturday night.
The victim of an attempted abduction in Dunedin hopes the public will recognise a police sketch of the man ''to help get this person get off the street''.
Yesterday police released a sketch of the man based on a description supplied by the 25-year-old Dunedin woman. Last Saturday night, the woman was walking home from the Octagon after being unable to get a taxi due to the long lines of people waiting for them after the All Blacks v Australia test.
In Princes St, she began talking to a ''normal, young, friendly sober dude'' near the Oval and opposite the bus depot.
''There was nothing bizarre about the conversation; we spoke for 10 to 15 minutes ... just about the rugby and weather, basically.''
The pair parted ways when they got to Hillside Rd and she continued walking down the street.
''I didn't think he was there. I thought I was walking on my own.''
The man then yelled an offensive comment and as she made her way to the road to text someone, he rushed at her, grabbed her and lifted her some 10m into some bushes at Bathgate Park.
''My instinct was limbs, kick, scream, punch, everything.
''I made enough commotion for him to give up, drop me and run away.''
The man was last seen running across Bathgate Park in the direction of Helena St and Macandrew Rd.
Stunned, the woman made her way back to the road and flagged down a taxi, which took her home, where she contacted the police.
She said it was hard helping police to make the sketch, as ''it was a difficult memory bank to tap into''.
''But I want to do everything I can do to help get this person get off the street ... I had a lucky escape so I want to help them out.''
She said police involved in the case had been ''amazing''.
''They have real sympathy and compassion.''
When she looked at the sketch of her offender, she felt sadness for society, as ''you just can't be free and walk around and do what you want because, unfortunately, there are people out there like this''.
However, she felt Dunedin was a safe city and ''this was just an unfortunate event''.
Detective Sergeant Rob Hanna, of Dunedin, said anyone with information about the offender should contact Dunedin police on 471-4800 or the anonymous tip-off line Crimestoppers, 0800 555 111.
Police did not believe the attack was linked to an attempted abduction hours earlier in Vogel St. Sightings of the ''home-sprayed'' silver van by members of the public had been confirmed in South Dunedin and the inner city, Detective Regan Boucher said. He urged anyone who had spotted that vehicle on Saturday night or Sunday night to contact police.
Two men jointly charged with abducting a woman with the intention of raping her were remanded in custody by consent. One was later granted bail.
- hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz
Wanted
• Caucasian, early to mid-20s
• Between 167cm-175cm in height
• Medium build with broad shoulders
• Short light brown or fair hair, and wispy facial hair
• He was wearing a white cap and possibly a dark hoodie
SUPPLIED: NEW ZEALAND POLICE
