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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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An English tourist has been
sexually assaulted while walking near a Bay of Islands beauty spot where a
Dutch couple were viciously attacked almost two years ago. The latest attack happened as the
27-year-old victim was walking between the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the
Haruru Falls carpark between 5.30pm and 6pm yesterday. Northland Police spokeswoman Sarah
Kennett said the tourist was dragged from the track and seriously sexually
assaulted. The offender was described as a
European male in his mid to late 30s. He had short dark brown hair and
was wearing a large ring on his right hand. He was wearing blue jeans, a navy
blue t-shirt with a white circular pattern on the front and carrying a full
backpack. The athletically built man was not
wearing shoes and spoke with an American accent. Police appealed to anyone with
information about the man or the attack to come forward. In November 2006 a honeymooning
Dutch couple were attacked in the car park at Haruru Falls, between Kerikeri
and Paihia. Career criminal Keith Anthony
McEwen, 30, and Christopher Mana Manuel, 27 - disguised as police officers -
forced their way into the sleeping couple's campervan while it was parked
near Haruru Falls. The victims were tied up. McEwen
sexually violated the woman before the pair were driven to an ATM machine and
forced to withdraw money. They were later dumped on the roadside before
knocking on the door of a local resident to raise the alarm. The pair were caught and McEwen
was sentenced to preventive detention and will serve at least 10 years while
Manuel was sentenced to nine years and must serve six before he can apply for
parole. |
