11 Nov 2013

Man charged over assault on 77-year-old woman

6:49 pm on 11 November 2013

A man appeared in the Manukau District Court on Monday charged in relation to an assault on a 77-year-old woman in her Papatoetoe home on Sunday morning.

Dwayne Lucky Oti, of Manurewa, is accused of burglary and intent to commit sexual violation.

Mr Oti was refused bail when he appeared at the Manukau District Court on Monday.

The 39-year-old will reappear on 2 December. His name had been suppressed until Monday evening to give him time to tell his family about the charges.

Counties Manukau police say the woman was woken about 6.30am on Sunday by an unknown man who was touching her. When she screamed and activated a medical alarm the man fled the scene.

Police say neighbours who heard the scream spotted a man leaving the house, followed him and saw him go to another house nearby. When police arrived, they were able to direct officers to the address.

Hastings scene examination completed

Hastings police say a scene examination has been completed at the Frimley house where an 87-year-old woman was viciously attacked last Thursday and items have been sent for forensic testing.

A man described as dark-skinned and wearing a green-coloured hooded top grabbed the woman while she was checking her mail, dragged her back into her house and sexually assaulted her.

Police say several witnesses have come forward to report they saw the man in Frimley on Thursday and officers are continuing door-to-door enquiries in the area on Monday.