Man appears in court over sex attack on pensioner

Photo / NZ Herald

A man has appeared in court charged with a sex attack on a pensioner in south Auckland at the weekend.

The 39-year-old man from Manurewa was charged with assault with intent to commit sexual violation and entering a building without authority with intent.

He appeared in Manukau District Court this afternoon, and was granted interim name suppression until 5pm this evening in order to have time to inform his family.

He was remanded in custody until December.

The man was charged with attacking a 77-year-old woman in her Papatoetoe home around 6.30am yesterday.

A neighbour said the woman had forgotten to lock her door before she went to bed on Saturday night.

She woke as she was assaulted and activated her medical alarm.

She also began screaming and was heard by her neighbours, who followed her attacker.