A 13-year-old girl who was at home alone was punched to the floor and kicked by an intruder who crept into her Maraenui home yesterday afternoon.
"We are very concerned about his motives and want to locate him quickly," Napier CIB chief detective senior sergeant Bill Gregory said today. "He
had no reason to attack her after she came across him. He could have run off but chose to take to her," Mr Gregory said.
The girl, who received bruises and abrasions to her face and body, was traumatised by the attack and police were giving her time to recover before interviewing her at length — probably later today.
They hoped to build up an identikit picture of the offender.
The girl was on her own in the Geddis Avenue house, after her mother had taken another child out for an appointment, and was working on a computer when she heard noises just after 2pm.
She went to the kitchen, thinking it was her mother returning, but walked straight into the man — who at first told her to "be quiet" but then attacked her. Mr Gregory said despite being knocked to the ground the girl put up a gutsy fight and managed to throw several items at the man before escaping to another room where she locked herself in.
The man was described as a Maori in his 30s, of stocky to chubby build with a pronounced pot belly. He had shoulder-length curly black hair with grey streaks through it and had a thick untidy beard. He was wearing a white T-shirt, grey track pants and worn-looking sandals.
Anyone who knows the identity of the offender, or may have seen him in the Geddis Avenue area between 2-2.30pm, is asked to contact Napier police — anonymously if need be on the Crimeline 0800 567 789.
- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
