Young children home when woman attacked by stranger

[Hogg]

TWO young children were at their northern suburbs home when a stranger broke-in and sexually assaulted their mother in a disturbing daytime attack.

A 20-year-old woman was attacked by an unknown man inside her Salisbury North home just before 3.30pm on Thursday.

SA Police are investigating the brazen incident and are appealing to the public for information.

Detective Chief Inspector Denise Gray, from the Special Crimes Investigation Branch, said the random attack left the victim “traumatised”.

“Suffice to say the victim was extremely frightened,” she said.

Chief Insp Gray said it was yet to be determined how the man gained access to the home but there was “no damage to the premises”.

She said the woman’s two small children were home at the time but it was unclear if they had witnessed the incident.

Chief Insp Gray said the man spoke to the woman while inside the home but would not reveal what he said.

“There was conversation but I don’t want to go into that conversation at the moment,” she said.

A neighbour came to the woman’s aid during the attack, chief inspector Gray said.

“The victim screamed and a neighbour came to her assistance,” she said.

“The person that assisted the victim describes a male leaving the premises.”

The suspect was last seen walking northeast towards Quadrant Ave, Salisbury North.

Chief Insp Gray said police were “doing everything we can to try to locate this person”.

“I can assure any potential offenders, and this offender, that we will leave no stone unturned to locate them,” she said.

“My advice to any person is to just take care of their own security, obviously lock your doors, don’t walk out late at night and make efforts to keep yourself safe.”

The suspect was described as being of Aboriginal appearance, 20-30 years old, 180cm tall with black curly hair, long fringe, unkept facial hair and bushy eyebrows.

He had a distinctive mole on his cheek that was slightly smaller than a five cent coin and was wearing a long-sleeve dark-coloured top with light brown pants and sneakers.

A witness told police he saw a man of similar appearance outside the woman’s house shortly before the attack.

The witness said the man had a yellow/gold push bike. Police say it is unknown if this person was involved in the assault.

Chief Insp Gray urged anyone with information about the attack or the suspect to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“Somebody generally knows something and I would implore them to come forward,” she said