Police: Girl drugged before rape, witness comes forward

Police have alleged the 34-year-old man charged with the rape of a 13-year-old in Auckland forced the girl to smoke cannabis to render her incapable of resistance.

Among the charges the man faced today was one of intent to facilitate sexual violation through stupefying the girl by rendering her incapable of resistance.

The man faced four other charges in Auckland District Court today - sexual violation by rape, two counts of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and one of detaining a girl with intent to have sexual connection.

A Samoan interpreter translated the case for the accused and Justice of the Peace Ken McKay adjourned the case until tomorrow.

The man was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody.

The officer heading the inquiry, Detective Andy King, told media outside court that the police would oppose bail.

He said police had not yet spoken to the girl and were waiting to call in a specialist interviewer.

Police yesterday said the girl, who was dragged into a reserve and attacked around 11am on Sunday, was "not in any condition" to be interviewed.

Mr King said yesterday that the girl was "hiding away" with relatives.

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."

Mr King said a woman motorist has contacted police, and said that she spoke to the victim of the alleged sexual assault at Waterview.

The woman was co-operating fully with police and has provided a witness statement.

The woman was filling her car at the BP gas station in Waterview about 10am on Sunday when the girl approached her for help.

She apparently told the girl to stay away from the man and drove off.

Mr King said the woman probably did not realise how serious the situation was.

The girl was attacked in the Point Chevalier-Waterview area of Auckland after she was followed from shops for about a kilometre to a BP station on Great North Road in Waterview.

After stopping in the service station to buy a few things, the girl was taken back along Great North Road. Police have alleged she was dragged into the Oakley Creek Walkway and raped.

The victim was said today to still be in shock and deeply traumatised.

- NZPA