Vicious sex assault: Sketch released

Image / NZ Police

Police have released a sketch drawing of a man alleged to have raped and beaten a 16-year-old girl in Auckland, before dropping her in the Auckland Zoo car park.

The three-hour ordeal began on Friday 11 July, about 11pm, when the girl accepted a ride from the man at the Glen Eden shops.

The man drove her to the car park of Ken Maunder Park in New Lynn, where he raped and beat her, before driving to Victor St, near Great North Rd in Avondale, where he once more physically and sexually assaulted her.

The man eventually dumped the injured, traumatised girl in the main car park of Auckland Zoo in Western Springs.

Following appeals to the public for information soon after the July incident, which revealed no leads, police have now released a composite sketch of the alleged offender and a description of him.

It is hoped the public will be able to identify the man.

He is described as a hairy, chubby Indian, about 25 years old, with dark skin and a slight accent. He is about 1.67m tall, or about 5'6". On the night I question, the man was wearing a white netted baseball cap.

The vehicle the alleged rapist was driving has also been described. It was a light-coloured Toyota Vitz with black interior, in a messy condition. It had only one tail light working and had a white bag under the front passenger seat.

"This was a brutal, prolonged attack on a young woman and we're working very hard to make sure this person is brought to justice," Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong said in a statement this afternoon.

"We have a solid description of the offender and his car and I'm urging people to cast their minds back and have a think about whether they recognise either of these pictures.

"We want to hear from anyone who recognises the person in the computer sketch, especially if they have any links to a Toyota Vitz like the one in the picture, either as the owner or as someone who has access to a vehicle like that.

"The cap is also distinctive and may well assist in identifying the person in the computer sketch."

Anyone with information should contact the Waitemata police Child Protection Team on 09 477 5003. Anonymous information can also be provided via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.