Jogger indecently assaulted

Police in Hawera are investigating the indecent assault of a female jogger and believe there were people in the area who may be crucial witnesses.

The incident occurred between 6am and 6.45am this morning (Friday, 16, March). A 38-year-old woman was jogging on South Road from the direction of the Hawera Intermediate School towards Collins Street. She then ran down Collins Street to Glover Road. At the intersection of Princes Road and Glover Road she was approached by a man who brushed past her and ran off down Glover Road towards Waihi Road.

The woman continued to run along Glover Road but the man slowed right down and when they were level with one another he began to run along side her.

He didn't speak to her but she felt uncomfortable and began to make turns to shake him off. He followed her as she turned into Waihi Road and towards the Hawera Aquatic Centre. He then followed her again as she turned onto Maire Street and when she ran onto Larlin Drive the man grabbed her from behind and indecently assaulted her.

She fought him off at which point he ran off, retracing his steps towards Waihi Road while she ran home and contacted the Police. She was not injured but was very shaken.

The woman passed other members of the public as the man was running alongside her and Police are keen to trace those individuals. She certainly recalls passing someone walking a dog on South Road and when she was on Glover Road another woman jogged past her in the opposite direction and there was a man walking in the same direction.

Police also want to hear from anyone who was in the area early this morning who saw the victim or a man fitting the offender's description.

The offender is described as a European man in his late teens early 20s, about 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, wearing a blue/black horizontally striped hooded sweatshirt with a zip down the front; baggy knee length shorts and white sandshoes.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Guy Jackson at Hawera Police on 06 278 0276 or 027 483 7680. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.