Woman injures sex attacker with stiletto heels

Palmerston North police hunting a sex attacker say he will have injuries sustained from his victim's stiletto heels.

The man pulled the 22-year-old woman into the bushes on Fitzherbet Ave and sexually assaulted her, about 3.30am Friday, Acting Detective Sergeant Dave Wishnowsky said.

She fought back, managing to kick her attacker with her stiletto heals, he said.

He would have sustained bruising or injuries because of her actions, Mr Wishnowsky said.

The attacker fled the scene when another person drawn by the commotion yelled at him.

"This offender's behaviour is of serious concern," Mr Wishnowsky said.

"This is a random sexual attack on a lone female minding her own business.

"If not for her reaction to this attack and the intervention of a nearby motel patron, this could have ended far worse than it did."

The victim suffered bruises and was shaken by the attack. She was being supported by family and friends.

The offender was described as medium to thin build, 1.8m tall, clean shaven, in his late 30s or early 40s, with medium-length wavy brown hair.

Police wanted to hear from anyone with information.

- NZPA