By SCOTT INGLIS
A man tricked a 15-year-old schoolgirl into public toilets, dragged her into a cubicle and raped her in a daylight attack in South Auckland.
The assault has been described by detectives as "sinister" and has prompted a warning by police for people to be careful around public toilets.
The attack occurred last Friday at 7.30 am at the Halver Rd, Manurewa, toilet block.
The teenager was walking along Great South Rd looking for a friend outside the Southmall entrance when she was approached by the man.
He claimed to have seen her friend and walked with her along Halver Rd before going into the men's toilets.
The rapist then called out that her friend was inside the toilet block.
The young woman walked in and was attacked.
Detective Nick McLeay of the Manurewa CIB said the man forced the victim into the cubicle, pinned her arms against a wall and raped her.
The ordeal lasted for up to 10 minutes.
Detective McLeay said Halver Rd was busy at the time and he appealed for witnesses to contact the police.
The rapist is described as a Pacific Islander, 20 to 34 years old, 168cm tall, of solid build, with long, black, wavy hair tied in a ponytail.
He had a mole on his chin and was wearing a black puffer jacket with a white label on the right hand side and grey track pants.
The victim - who has been offered counselling - was a Maori girl, about 156cm tall, wearing a black T-shirt and navy blue track pants.
Detective McLeay said it was possible the man had struck before, but there was no evidence of that at this stage.
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