Offender behind Hamilton sex assault might have visited property several times before

Hamilton police are searching for the offender following the assault early on Sunday morning. Photo / Bevan Conley

Police believe a man who sexually assaulted a Hamilton woman and physically assaulted her daughter might have visited the property several times before the attack.

Detectives from Hamilton's police force are appealing for the public's help locating the man, who broke into a home in the suburb of St Andrews and attacked the two females on the weekend.

He was unknown to the woman and entered her home between 7am and 7.45am on Sunday morning.

The man then left the Croall Cres address in St Andrews, cut across neighbouring properties and ran into the grounds of the Hamilton Junior High School on Heath St.

He has been described as Maori, in his mid-20s, short with stocky shoulders, clean shaven with short dark hair.

He was wearing a red T-shirt, black long pants and black shoes.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Anderson said police believed he had a particular interest in this address.

"There is an indication he may have visited the location a number of weeks prior to the assaults," he said.

Anderson wanted anyone with information about the man, or anyone who may have witnessed suspicious behaviour in the area, to get in touch.

"Family or friends of the man may have noticed some changes in his behaviour or demeanour over the past few days," he said.