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A close-knit Northland community is reeling from a sexual attack on a popular 57-year-old by two teens, one in the care of Child, Youth and Family.
The woman was locking up Coopers Beach Bowling Club about 10pm on Anzac Day when she was confronted in the car park. She was threatened and sexually assaulted before being forced back into the club and sexually assaulted again.
Police say the youths escaped in a stolen car before ringing them for help - they were trying to steal a second car when they were chased by the owners.
The boys, aged 14 and 15, appeared before the Youth Court in Whangarei on Monday charged with sexual assault. Police said more serious charges were likely. One was bailed to appear before the Youth Court at Kaitaia tomorrow and the other was kept in custody.
The victim declined to comment to the Herald on Sunday.
A bowling club spokesman also declined to comment, but Mangonui shopper Ivan Wheaton said, "If they are old enough to do something like that, they're old enough to go to jail."
A Ministry of Social Development spokesman confirmed one boy was on a CYF foster-care placement but refused to say why he was in care, or for how long, because it might "compromise" the police investigation.
