A GOOD Samaritan who helped a woman being sexually assaulted in a Tamworth CBD laneway could hold crucial evidence needed to track down the attacker.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 21-year-old woman was walking along White St about 1am on Sunday when a man forced her into the darkness of the nearby laneway and sexually assaulted her.
A passerby came to the rescue of the woman after the offender fled the scene and helped her before she reported the attack to police.
However, police are yet to talk to the anonymous helper.
The 21-year-old woman was taken to Tamworth hospital for treatment and has since been released but is deeply traumatised by her ordeal.
Oxley crime manager Inspector Phil O’Reilly said police have urged the passer-by to come forward.
“We’re asking that person who assisted her to please contact us,” he said.
“Someone was there to help her at the time, whether or not they saw the offender.”
The attack sparked an immediate police investigation to try and track down the man responsible.
Inspector O’Reilly said the passer-by could hold vital evidence to help progress the case.
The victim was able to give police a detailed description and now investigators are trying to piece together the movements of the man responsible.
Detectives spent the day yesterday canvassing nearby businesses in White St for security surveillance.
They are trying to find any CCTV that might show the moments leading up to or straight after the laneway attack.
Inspector O’Reilly said anyone who might have been in the area about the time of the attack, or anyone who might have seen the man on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday morning, is also being urged to come forward.
“A detailed description has been provided, so anyone who was out and might have seen the man that night is urged to contact us,” Inspector O’Reilly said.
The attacker is described as being of Indian sub-continental in appearance and aged in his late 20s and about 170cm tall.
He has short black hair and facial hair, and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone who might have any information on the attack or who might have seen the man is urged to contact Tamworth detectives on 6768 2999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
