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Allegations of Sexual
Abuse in NZ |
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Stuff A vicious sex attack on an English
tourist by a barefoot man with an American accent may have been a hoax. The 27-year-old tourist told
police she had been sexually attacked by a man as she walked the track between
the Waitangi Treaty House grounds and the Haruru Falls carpark on March 26. However, sources have now told
NZPA the attack may not have happened. Today police refused to confirm
the complaint was a hoax. "It is a bit of a tricky
one," said Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston. He was asked if there something
about the inquiry he could not reveal. "Yeah. "I don't really want to make
any comment at all at the moment, just let it die down." Mr Johnston was also asked if the
complaint was "not on the level". "I can't comment on that
either mate," Mr Johnston said. He said at the time the complaint
was taken as a serious and bona fide complaint. He was asked if things had
changed. "I can't comment on
that." Mr Johnston said the inquiry had
made no progress and he expected none in the next couple of days. The tourist told police she had
been dragged into the bush and sexually abused by a barefoot man. After speaking to the woman,
police said the man was in his mid to late 30s with dark brown hair in a
number four cut. They said he wore a large ring on
his right hand, blue jeans and a navy blue tee shirt with a white circular
pattern. He carried a full back pack and was barefoot. News of what appeared to be an
horrific attack prompted locals to rally around the tourist. Locals said they were sickened by
the attack which they said brought memories flooding back of the vicious sex
attack on Dutch honeymooners at the falls in 2006. One local woman said the tourist
was petrified, very traumatised and shaken. |
