Stolen car major focus in hunt for woman's attacker

A car stolen from a woman's home after she was brutally beaten and sexually attacked in Onehunga is now the major focus in the police investigation.

The 32-year-old victim woke up between midnight and 12.30am on Friday after hearing noises and was accosted on the stairs by a man who bound her wrists and attempted to gag her.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Beard said police discovered her car was stolen after the time of the attack and were now focused on recovering it.

The vehicle was a red 1997 Honda Logo hatchback, registration number BDM323.

Anybody sighting this vehicle or who knew where it was, should asked to contact their nearest police station immediately, Mr Beard said.

Police have completed the scene examination and door-to-door inquiries were continuing.

Mr Beard said the woman was recovering from her ordeal and was still giving a formal interview to police.

She has been able to recall a more detailed description of her attacker.

She described him as a male, Maori or Polynesian in his early 20s, with long, dark hair, dark skin, of slim build, up to 175 cm tall, with a thick black moustache.

He was wearing a dark blue beanie, a dark blue or black fleece top with half zip at front and poly cotton-type dark trousers.

Police said yesterday they believed the offender may have scratch marks to his face caused by the woman during the struggle.

Mr Beard said the amount of violence used on the woman coupled with the sexual assault was of serious concern.

"It is apparent from what the victim has said, that if the offender had not have stopped and decamped when he did, she could have been murdered," he said.

"This is of grave concern to the police who believe this offender needs to be caught before he can offend again."

Neighbours in the block of flats where the woman lived heard screams and called out to the woman to ask if she needed help.

- NZPA