Rape victim returns to scene

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone said the woman found returning home traumatic.

A Pukekohe woman who was repeatedly raped in a violent sex attack returned to her home for the first time yesterday.

The 37-year-old administration manager accompanied police through the house where she was held for five hours by a man who forced his way in last Tuesday night.

Police said the woman was repeatedly raped over four to five hours in what was described as a "chilling and depraved" attack. The man said he had been watching her.

She was forced to dress up by her attacker, who threatened her with scissors and a hammer, and made to shower after each violation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone said the woman's return to her home had been traumatic. She was staying with family and Mr Grimstone did not know if she would ever move back home permanently.

Police took the woman back to find out if any property had been stolen by the man, other than a pair of jeans and a black jacket from the house. However, Mr Grimstone said nothing else had been taken.

A criminal profiler is today expected to provide more insight into the man responsible, but police have said a former or current partner would recognise his behaviour.

Mr Grimstone said a number of women were among the callers who had contacted police to provide names of possible offenders. Police had a list of suspects that was made up of calls from the public and information passed on by police officers.

"We're working through that list to either put them in the frame or out of the frame."