English Tourist Attacked

New Zealand Police National News Release

23 February 2007

At about 3:00 am this morning Friday 23/02/07, a 23 year old female English tourist staying at the A1 motor camp in Kaikoura, situated on the corner of Beach Road and West End, was attacked in a toilet cubicle by a man armed with a knife. The woman suffered a defensive injury to her hand in the course of the struggle.

Police say the woman was sexually assaulted in the course of the incident. Blenheim Detectives are travelling to Kaikoura this morning and will be assisted by ESR and Christchurch CIB staff who are travelling up to Kaikoura. At this stage Police have a preliminary description of a suspect running from the direction of the toilet block into a nearby alley, leading onto Beach Road.

Person described as Caucasian male, thought to be in his 20's, of medium build, about 6' in height, brown hair, wearing shorts and a T-shirt and work boots. Police say it's possible that food stolen out of the kitchen at the camp and discarded near the scene might be linked to th! e offending.

1pm

The investigation is continuing at Kaikoura into the attack on an English tourist at about 3.00am this morning. Police say they are looking for a Caucasian man, thought to be in his 20's, tall and of medium build, wearing tan shorts and a blue t-shirt that may have had white writing on it.

They say they are receiving reports about other activity around Kaikoura overnight including a similarly described man staring into a flat on Beach Road about an hour and a half before the incident.

The victim was transferred to Christchurch for further medical attention for an injury suffered in the course of the attack and police are continuing with their examination of the scene assisted by ESR.

Detective Sergeant John Hamilton says that the woman received defensive injuries to her hand from a knife but is not seriously injured. She was transferred to Christchurch Hospital for consideration for minor surgery.

5pm

Woman's condition is described as stable.

"We would be very interested to hear of information and descriptions of any people moving around Kaikoura after midnight", says Detective Sergeant John HAMILTON, Blenheim CIB.

ENDS

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