Advertisement

Police in new appeal to catch sex attacker

Police in new appeal to catch deviant sex attacker

Police have launched a fresh appeal for information in their hunt for man who sexually assaulted an au pair in a Mosman Park home nearly five years ago.

The 19-year-old German woman, who was looking after a two-year-old child, was attacked about midday in the house after the man arrived at the house with a bunch of flowers.

State Crime Operations Team Detective Senior Sergeant Jade Smith said a key element of the investigation was a possible sighting of the sexual predator on Manning Street, Mosman Park, immediately before and after the attack.

“This man has parked a sport utility vehicle similar to a Kia Sportage on Manning Street and has been seen walking to the victim’s address with a bunch of flowers,” Det-Sen. Sgt Smith said.

“The teenage victim has been subjected to a deviant and protracted sexual offence. The man was then seen walking back to the hatchback and driving away from the area.”

Just minutes before the attack the woman had put the child to bed for a rest.

She answered a knock at the door and was confronted by the predator, who overpowered her and forced his way into the home.

The victim was restrained and attacked.

the crime operations team and the Sexual Assault Squad have conducted a review into the investigation, called Operation Harstad, since mid-2014.

Det-Sen. Sgt Smith said that six days after the attack, an anonymous caller to Crime Stoppers provided detailed information on the case.

“We are particularly keen to hear from this person again and we are confident that further information will help us catch this predator,” Det-Sen. Sgt Smith said.

“The victim remains traumatised and our message to those with information regarding this matter is simple – she could have been your daughter, she could have been your niece or should could have been your friend.”

Aspects of the review are ongoing and WA Police have been liaising with law enforcement partners interstate and overseas.