Sexual assault after car broke down

Police are searching for four men after a woman was sexually assaulted after her car had broken down.

Detective Sergeant Ian Langridge of Nelson police said the woman, in her early 40s, told police she was sexually assaulted by two men who stopped her as she was walking home along Ngawhatu Valley Rd on Friday night.

She said the men were travelling in a car with four occupants and stopped her as she was walking home after her car - a small red vehicle - broke down. Due to a mechanical fault she had left it parked.

Police wanted to talk with anyone who may have seen a vehicle with four occupants in it on Suffolk Rd, in the Ngawhatu Valley area between 9pm Friday and 1am Saturday.

They were particularly interested in speaking to the two other occupants of that vehicle who may have witnessed the assault, but were not party to what occurred, Langridge said.

Police also want to hear about any sightings of a woman in her 40s walking in the vicinity that evening. They had information that two people were seen walking in the area about 9.30pm and wanted to speak to those people as well as anyone who saw people near or in the victim’s car.

Information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Ph 0800 555 111 or contact Detective Sergeant Ian Langridge on 03 545 9815.

- © Fairfax NZ News