Man on rape charges after meeting woman on internet

The accused is on bail. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A Hamilton man has been charged with raping a woman he met by exchanging messages over the internet.

The 41-year-old unemployed man appeared briefly in the Hamilton District Court yesterday on a variety of charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a woman in her home on Saturday.

The acting Waikato Crime Services manager, Detective Inspector Greg Nicholls, said the man and his victim had met via the internet in November.

They had since been in contact by phone, text and email but had not previously met.

"They had plans to meet on Friday night which fell through, however subsequent to that we believe the man has gone to the woman's home where she became the victim of a sexual assault," said Mr Nicholls.

The man, who was granted interim name suppression, was charged with rape and attempted rape and illegal possession of a prescription medicine - Hypnovel - used in anaesthesia and sedation.

Mr Nicholls said police urged people to take care when meeting someone they had come across on the internet. They should where possible meet

in a public place, such as a cafe or restaurant, and inform someone where they are going.

The man was remanded on bail and is due to reappear in court on March 19.