12-year-old girl kicks predator where it hurts

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A Ponsonby schoolgirl fended off a would-be sex pest yesterday by kicking him in the groin after he made "lewd suggestions".

The 12-year-old was walking to St Mary's College along Douglas St in the suburb just before 8am when she was approached by a man in his 40s.

The man, described as "scrawny" with long silver or grey hair and an orange hue to his skin, grabbed the girl and made inappropriate comments.

A police spokesman said the girl "kicked him in the nuts" and ran off to school to alert her teachers.

Officers searched the area but could not find the man, who was wearing a grey sweatshirt with large pockets on the front.

It is understood the girl was spoken to by police and sent home for the day to recover from her ordeal.

School principals in the Ponsonby area were shocked and concerned about the incident when spoken to last night.

Ponsonby School principal Anne Malcolm commended the girl on her actions. "Good on her," she said.

Mrs Malcolm would be emailing principals in the area and parents of her pupils to inform them of the incident.

"I'll just tell them to be aware. I'll put it out to parents asking them to be really wary of someone like that in the area," she said.

"Talk to your children about walking together and walking safely."

Ponsonby Intermediate principal Wim Boxen said he was concerned, but would wait to hear more details before taking any further action.

Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information.