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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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Timaru police are hunting for two
men after a woman was abducted at knife point outside a pub on Monday night
and taken to Caroline Bay and raped. Police have described the incident
as "random" and "unusual", but are confident of an
arrest. The woman, aged in her early 30s,
told police she was forced into a car at the Richard Pearse Tavern some time
between 10.30pm and 11.20pm. She was driven to the Bay where the rape took
place. The victim had been outside the
tavern smoking by herself at the time of the incident. Detective Sergeant Marion Neill of
the Timaru CIB said the woman suffered no serious physical injuries, but was
very distressed. The two offenders had not been in
the tavern during the evening, she said. Yesterday the tavern and an area
of Caroline Bay were cordoned off for part of the day as police started their
investigation. Ms Neill was concerned an incident
like this could happen in Timaru. "Without getting carried
away, it is concerning that patrons at a local pub can be uplifted and an
incident like this can occur. It is particularly concerning when it is a
quiet evening in a suburban city." The victim was praised for giving
police good details of her attackers. "Police are seeking two Maori
males in connection with the alleged rape," Ms Neill said. One man had a star tattoo by his
left eye. He was described as athletic and was wearing a dark jersey and
baggy pants. He had a No 2 haircut. The other offender was wearing a
dark t-shirt, baggy pants and a cap. He had short, dark hair. Both men were
between 172cm and 175cm in height. Ms Neill said the offenders were
driving an old, square-shaped silver stationwagon with bench seats. Having such a good description of
the offenders and the vehicle would increase the chances of making an arrest,
she said. "I think that with this good
description we are confident of getting information that will lead to the
identity of the offenders. "With one of them having a
tattoo, people who have seen the two offenders together will remember it. "If anyone recalls seeing
them we are happy to hear from them." Police would also like to speak to
a member of the public who was driving a grey or silver four-wheel drive who
stopped on Evans Street shortly after the incident and asked the victim if
she required help. It was too early to say if the
offenders were locals or from out of town, she said. Police appealed for any witnesses
to come forward. "We still want to speak to
people who were in the vicinity of the Richard Pearse Tavern or Caroline Bay
between the times of 10pm and midnight." Richard Pearse owner-operator
Claire Edginton was "shocked " that this type of incident could
happen in Timaru. "We are hoping the police can
make a speedy arrest and justice prevails," she said. Regulars at the tavern were
"appalled" by Monday night's incident, with one describing it as a
"disgusting act". "You never think these things
will happen in your backyard," one said. Police will today talk to people
who were at the Richard Pearse on Monday night and others thought to have
been near Caroline Bay at the time of the incident. -------------------- Photo: Rape Investigation - Police
sealed off the Richard Pearse Tavern yesterday after a woman was abducted at
knife point and take to Caroline Bay and raped. |
