Man arrested after teen assaulted in Havelock North

Te Mata Peak Park, Havelock North, where a teenage girl was reported to have been assaulted by a stranger on Sunday afternoon. A man has been arrested, but police are seeking further information from the public.

Police are seeking information from members of the public who may have seen or heard of activity connected to an assault on a 16-year-old girl which reportedly took place in a Havelock North park during the long weekend.

A statement said a 41-year-old man not known to the girl had been arrested as a result of the incident in Te Mata Peak Park, Te Mata Peak Road, about 1pm on Sunday.

He has been charged with indecent assault against a female aged 12-16 and is due to next appear at Hastings District Court on 14 November.

A 16-year-old female was walking alone when she was assaulted by a man, and she was helped afterwards by a group of people who came to her aid while walking in the area at the time.

To assist inquiries, police would like to speak with this group who helped the victim, who left prior to the arrival of the police, and with anyone else who may have seen or heard of the incident.

Police said anyone with information should contact police on 105 or make a report online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, quoting file number 231022/2519.

A Te Mata Park Trust spokeswoman told Hawke’s Bay Today the Trust was concerned to hear of the incident in the park on Sunday but declined to comment further, referring to police for further comment.

Another man was arrested and charged with kidnapping and threatening to kill earlier this month after an incident involving two children in Havelock North.