By Gabriella Payne
Detectives from the Dandenong sexual offences and child abuse investigation team are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and help in their search for an unknown assailant, who sexually assaulted and threatened to kill a woman in Pakenham last month.
The victim, a 60-year-old woman, was taking an early morning walk at about 6.30am on Tuesday 2 March along a footpath just off Toomuc Valley Road in Pakenham when the attack occurred.
As the woman was walking, she was approached by an unknown man on a bicycle, who asked her for the time.
When she pulled out her mobile phone to check the time, the man grabbed her by the neck and forced her to the ground.
He then sat on her and pinned her to the ground by her neck, while he sexually assaulted her and demanded the password for her phone.
The victim tried to call for help, but the man threatened to kill her.
She was only released when the man was interrupted by a passing car, causing him to flee on foot with her phone and credit card.
The woman managed to flag down a passer-by for help shortly after, and was not physically injured in the attack.
The male offender is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 18-30 years old, 160-170 cms tall and was wearing a black mask, black cap and black jacket with the hood pulled up.
The bicycle he was riding at the time had a blue cross bar and a blue/white frame.
Detectives have released CCTV images of a male they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
