Man in court over rape of girl, 13

A 34-year-old man is to appear in court today charged with abducting, drugging and raping a 13 year-old girl in Waterview on Sunday.

The man, a drain layer, was arrested yesterday and will face five charges - sexual violation by rape, two counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, abduction for sexual connection, and aggravated wounding by stupefying.

The girl, who was dragged into a reserve and attacke around 11am, was "not in any condition" to be interviewed, police said yesterday.

The officer heading the inquiry, Detective Andy King, said yesterday the girl was "hiding away" with relatives.

A specialist child interviewer would not be available to see the girl until today at the earliest.

He said she had a "very quick" medical assessment yesterday.

"But she's still very upset and not even really in any condition to talk to us.

"She's with her family, and hopefully she's had a reasonable night. It's a very distressing time for them."

Her attacker had verbally harassed her as he followed her from a group of shops in Pt Chevalier to a BP service station on Great North Rd about 10am, Mr King said.

Police said the girl approached a woman filling her car at the station and begged for help, but the woman told her to keep away from the man and drove off.

Her attacker made a purchase at the service station, from which police obtained security camera images of him.

He then followed the girl to the reserve.

"He ended up grabbing her by the arm and dragging her into some nearby bush area and raping her," Mr King said.

Police were still keen to speak to the woman at the service station.

Mr King said she was an important witness and police were desperate to talk to her.

They had also had calls from other people offering information about the incident.

"We received quite a number of calls," he said. "There's plenty to follow up on."