Rapist forced way past tight security

A security-conscious woman who was brutally assaulted over five hours in her home did everything right when her attacker knocked at the door.

Police yesterday revealed how the man forced his way into her Pukekohe house, and issued advice to women living alone.

The 37-year-old administration manager was bashed about the upper body and raped during the horrific ordeal on Tuesday night.

She had been stalked by the man who police criminal profilers said could be a serial rapist and would attack again if he was not caught.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone said the man had stalked the woman, possibly watching her from bushes across the road from her house, before carrying out the attack.

He knocked on her ranchslider door at 9pm on Tuesday and asked to use the phone.

The woman locked the door and went to get her cordless phone. She handed it to the man and then locked the door again. However, when she opened the door to retrieve the phone, he pushed his way inside, assaulted the woman and handcuffed her.

Mr Grimstone said she was "extremely security conscious" and took measures to ensure her safety when the man asked to use the phone.

"I think there's a clear message there that any female living alone that has someone come to their door who they don't recognise, then don't open the damn thing. Call the police if you have any concerns about that."

Police yesterday revealed the man went to the house with a pair of scissors and also threatened the woman with a hammer found in the house.

Mr Grimstone said the man did not use the weapons to inflict any injuries. The woman suffered massive bruising to her upper body.

The man changed into a pair of the woman's jeans and a black jacket which police are now seeking in the hunt for him. He took with him the other clothes he had been wearing.

The woman escaped when he drove her to an ATM machine to make her withdraw money.

She distracted the man by dropping her cashflow cards on the floor of the car and as he picked them up, she ran away and sought help at a nearby BP station.

The man sped off from the ATM and crashed the car in Paerata Rd. He was seen running back towards Pukekohe.

Mr Grimstone said the woman had given police an accurate account of the "chilling and depraved attack".

She would accompany officers back to her home to provide further details.

Criminal profilers said the crime was a "classic exploiter rape/compliant victim scenario" and the woman was stalked for a considerable period of time.

The woman complied with the man's demands because she feared he was going to kill her, Mr Grimstone said.

Profilers said the man would strike again and would continue to offend until he was caught.

Mr Grimstone said the man was affected by alcohol but methamphetamine was not involved.

Police had received a large number of calls from the public and people had nominated suspects. The inquiry is focusing around the man living in the Franklin area. They have no plans to release an identikit sketch of the man as the woman refused to look at his face - even though he demanded it - for fear he would then kill her.

Any information can be passed to the Operation Clover inquiry team on 09-295-0200.

The attacker

Maori man, aged late 30s or early 40s.

Unshaven, wrinkles around the eyes.

Wore green nylon hooded jacket, dark pants, a black scarf and black gloves. Changed into a pair of victim's jeans and a black jacket.

The jean brand is the Blue Denim Company. Jacket has a silver fern and "New Zealand" stitched in white on left-hand side.