Teenager wrestles suspect to ground

Ritchie Tiedemann

A teenager and his sister's boyfriend tracked and caught a man suspected of a brutal assault on their 81-year-old neighbour.

Police last night praised the efforts of the pair, who shot into action after the woman was sexually assaulted in an attack lasting up to half an hour early on Saturday in West Auckland.

The woman staggered outside as the man fled the scene.

But 17-year-old Ritchie Tiedemann, who was watching wrestling on television, saw his distressed neighbour with a torch and went to her aid.

The Waitakere College student and his sister's boyfriend, 22-year-old Palamia Leota, launched their own search of the Tudor Rd area of Henderson.

Mr Leota found the man hiding in an alley and dragged him back to the scene.

"She [the 81-year-old] asked why he had come back so we knew it was him," said Mr Tiedemann.

"I just jumped on the guy and wrestled him to the ground. I wanted to make sure he was not going to get away."

Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said the pair's initiative was instrumental in the man's capture.

Mr Tiedemann said he would not hesitate to do the same again, but he did not consider himself a hero.

His 81-year-old neighbour was recovering with family and friends last night.

* A 24-year-old man will appear in the Waitakere District Court today on indecent assault, attempted sexual violation, and burglary charges.