Upper Hutt woman sexually assaulted in home invasion

An Upper Hutt woman chased an intruder from her home last night after she woke to find the man sexually assaulting her.

Detective Sergeant Tony Heathcote, Upper Hutt CIB, described the home invasion and attack as despicable.

"The victim was asleep in her bed and woke to find the man assaulting her," he said. "She showed great presence of find to fight him off, chased him from the house, and immediately called police on 111."

But despite the 57-year-old woman's actions, and her screams for help which alerted Pine Avenue neighbours, the attacker is still to be found.

Police believe the man responsible for the attack, which happened a few minutes before 9pm, lives locally and they want public help to find him.

The intruder is described as Maori / Pacific Island, thick set and possibly in his 20s. He was 5ft 8in tall, had shortish but wavy hair, and was wearing baggy long shorts, a hoodie top and heavy footwear - boots or similar.

Detective Sergeant Heathcote said the woman's immediate action on waking to find the man sexually assaulting her was to yell and chase him out through the back of the house.

"He left with such speed that he run through a corrugated iron fence and flattened it," Detective Sergeant Heathcote said.

Police, including a dog handler were on the scene in minutes, along with several concerned nearby residents alerted to the noise.

"It was great to see that community concern rally for the victim, but the number of people around meant that the dog unit was unable to pick up a good track.

"We're hoping that the same community concern will help us find the attacker. We believe he lives locally. Someone must have seen or heard him, or knows who this person is."

Police want to hear from people, especially those living in the Pine Avenue and Gibbons Street area to contact Upper Hutt Police Station if they have information that will help. The number is: 04 527 2300.

Detective Sergeant Heathcote said the woman is very distressed and is being supported by Rape Crisis. Police and fingerprint experts have been examining her home today, talking with neighbours and making area inquiries.