6 Jan 2013

Police seek details of Nelson attacker

5:56 am on 6 January 2013

Police in Nelson say they've received a large amount of information following the release of an identikit picture of the man who beat and sexually assaulted a woman on New Year's Day.

Nelson police released this computer-generated sketch of the wanted man.

Nelson police released this computer-generated sketch of the wanted man. Photo: NZ POLICE

Detective Sergeant Ian Langridge says the computer-generated sketch has attracted a lot of interest and the police have had a significant response at a stand which was set up at the Nelson market on Saturday.

The composit picture showed a man police describe as Maori or Polynesian, aged in his 20s. They say he has distinctive tribal-style tattoos down his arms and short hair.

Mr Langridge says the vicious attack on a 62 year old woman in the city's Victory Community Gardens is the worst case of its kind the police have dealt with in Nelson.

But police have also warned that it is unpredictable what the attacker may do next and women should avoid being alone in the Victory Square area until the man has been caught.

The have appealed for the man to give himself up.