Police ask for help

Hamilton Police investigating an alleged sexual assault that took place in the City on St Patrick’s Day are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a potential witness.

Detective Sergeant Carl Moon of the Hamilton CIB says with forensic evidence not being as conclusive as they would have liked officers now had to realign their focus to more traditional investigative methods including seeking to identify people shown in the area on CCTV footage.

"The attack took place on the evening of Saturday, March 17, at about midnight, when a lot of people were out and about celebrating St Patrick’s Day.

"Our victim, an 18-year-old woman, had been out celebrating with friends when she became separated from her group at the Outback Bar and was approached by a man while she was sitting in a courtyard outside the bar, in an area formerly known as the ’Marketplace’."

Carl says the woman was persuaded to accompany the man to a car parked nearby on Alexandra St where she was sexually assaulted.

"Forensic evidence hasn’t provided the results we would have liked but CCTV footage recovered at the time shows us a man who was walking in the area where the victim left from and went to at the time.

"We are hoping this man might recognise his image or someone else may recognise him and they get in touch with us so he can help us with our enquiries."

The man is described as being Caucasian with short, light coloured hair wearing blue trousers, possibly jeans, and a green short-sleeved shirt.

Anyone with any information on the possible identity of the man is asked to contact Carl at the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200.

Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Source: Waikato Police.