Serious assault

At about 5.30pm tonight (Wednesday) a female was walking on the western side of the Hutt River bank near the Ava Rail Bridge in Petone, adjacent to Sladden Park.

A male approached then grabbed her by the hair and presented a knife at her. The female screamed out and managed to pull away from the male. The male then ran south towards the Shandon Golf course.

The 25 year old female was not hurt but was very shaken.

The male is described as:

Male, Mäori or Pacific Islander in his early 20's.
Tall and of average build
Wearing sunglasses with a white and black bandana over his face
Baggy grey coloured hooded sweatshirt with a black coloured t-shirt underneath
Black baggy pants
Wearing skate style shoes
The knife had a blade approximately 12cm long.

Police would like to speak to a couple seen in the vicinity at the time. They were walking a small dog and throwing a red coloured Frisbee.

If anyone else was in the area at the time and saw a male fitting this description, can they please contact Lower Hutt CIB on Ph: 560 2600.