Police probe Nelson sex attacks

A 35-year-old woman's allegation she was raped in a public toilet in central Nelson early yesterday morning is one of two rape complaints during New Year revelry in the region.

Detective Paul Heathcote of Nelson CIB told the Nelson Mail that the woman said she was sexually assaulted in the toilets off Halifax St, next to the i-Site visitor information centre, between midnight and 2am.

Mr Heathcote said friends of the woman took her to the Nelson police station. Police had been unable to talk to her yesterday but were hoping to interview her today.

He had no details about the offender.

Detective John Nicholls of Motueka police was investigating a complaint laid by a woman in her early 20s that she had been raped in a camping area near the Riwaka Hotel on New Year's Eve.

He said police had examined the scene and were planning to speak to the woman last night. They had spoken to other people.

Mr Nicholls said Motueka police were also investigating a serious assault in Kaiteriteri on New Year's Eve.

During a large fight between numerous people, a Christchurch man in his 20s was struck in the face with a beer glass, suffering deep cuts to his face, which needed stitches.

Police believed they had identified the attacker and were trying to speak to that person, he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Wayne McCoy of Nelson CIB said a 60-year-old Nelson man was charged on Thursday with indecent assault on a 13-year-old girl, and would appear in court next week.

- © Fairfax NZ News