KEY POINTS:
An English tourist has been sexually assaulted while walking near a Bay of Islands beauty spot where a Dutch couple were viciously attacked almost two years ago.
The latest attack happened as the 27-year-old victim was walking between the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Haruru Falls carpark between 5.30pm and 6pm yesterday.
Northland Police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the tourist was dragged from the track and seriously sexually assaulted.
The offender was described as a European male in his mid to late 30s.
He had short dark brown hair and was wearing a large ring on his right hand. He was wearing blue jeans, a navy blue t-shirt with a white circular pattern on the front and carrying a full backpack.
The athletically built man was not wearing shoes and spoke with an American accent.
Police appealed to anyone with information about the man or the attack to come forward.
In November 2006 a honeymooning Dutch couple were attacked in the carpark at Haruru Falls, between Kerikeri and Paihia.
Career criminal Keith Anthony McEwen, 30, and Christopher Mana Manuel, 27 -- disguised as police officers -- forced their way into the sleeping couple's campervan while it was parked near Haruru Falls.
The victims were tied up. McEwen sexually violated the woman before the pair were driven to an ATM machine and forced to withdraw money. They were later dumped on the roadside before knocking on the door of a local resident to raise the alarm.
The pair were caught and McEwen was sentenced to preventive detention and will serve at least 10 years while Manuel was sentenced to nine years and must serve six before he can apply for parole.
- NZPA
