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Public plea over gang rape
David Braithwaite
August 9, 2006 - 9:08AM
Police have defended a two-month delay in alerting the public to the violent gang rape of a young woman in a toilet block on a busy night in Darling Harbour.
The 19-year-old woman was attacked by four men on Thursday June 8 about 6.30pm in public toilets near the Chinese Gardens at the western end of Liverpool Street, police said.
The woman was on Darling Walk when approached by five men, who struck up a conversation with her and allegedly lured her into a female toilet, police said.
Four men violently sexually assaulted the woman, taunting her and threatening her, while a fifth man stood lookout over the Thursday-night passers-by, police said.
Thousands of people were in the Darling Harbour precinct that night for a sold-out Split Enz concert.
Police said the public were not alerted to the sex attack earlier because it would have "adversely impacted" a "very protracted investigation".
"A lot of avenues have been covered in depth," City Central police crime manager Detective Inspector John Alt told reporters this morning.
"We believe that this stage is the appropriate time to go public and seek the assistance of the public in our investigation."
Mr Alt would not provide details of the "cowardly and brazen" attack, only that it went on "over a shortened time frame".
He would not confirm reports it lasted up to an hour or explain how she was "lured" into the toilet block.
"How they got the lady there is also part of our investigation," he said.
Detectives believed the attack was an isolated incident, Mr Alt said.
Darling Harbour was a well-lit, heavily populated area and there was no cause for extra public concern, he said.
After the attack, the men stole the woman's mobile phone before fleeing towards the entertainment centre.
The woman ran from the toilet block and raised the alarm before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment, police said.
She was recovering well after the incident, Mr Alt said.
"She was the victim of a sexual attack and that for anyone is an absolutely traumatic incident to go through,'' he said.
Four of the men being sought were dressed in similar white overalls, suggesting they may be work mates.
Police are investigating whether the men were tradesmen, Mr Alt said.
Several of the men were carrying backpacks, one of them described as yellow and black.
Anyone with information can call City Central police on 9265 6499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
David Braithwaite
August 9, 2006 - 9:08AM
Police have defended a two-month delay in alerting the public to the violent gang rape of a young woman in a toilet block on a busy night in Darling Harbour.
The 19-year-old woman was attacked by four men on Thursday June 8 about 6.30pm in public toilets near the Chinese Gardens at the western end of Liverpool Street, police said.
The woman was on Darling Walk when approached by five men, who struck up a conversation with her and allegedly lured her into a female toilet, police said.
Four men violently sexually assaulted the woman, taunting her and threatening her, while a fifth man stood lookout over the Thursday-night passers-by, police said.
Thousands of people were in the Darling Harbour precinct that night for a sold-out Split Enz concert.
Police said the public were not alerted to the sex attack earlier because it would have "adversely impacted" a "very protracted investigation".
"A lot of avenues have been covered in depth," City Central police crime manager Detective Inspector John Alt told reporters this morning.
"We believe that this stage is the appropriate time to go public and seek the assistance of the public in our investigation."
Mr Alt would not provide details of the "cowardly and brazen" attack, only that it went on "over a shortened time frame".
He would not confirm reports it lasted up to an hour or explain how she was "lured" into the toilet block.
"How they got the lady there is also part of our investigation," he said.
Detectives believed the attack was an isolated incident, Mr Alt said.
Darling Harbour was a well-lit, heavily populated area and there was no cause for extra public concern, he said.
After the attack, the men stole the woman's mobile phone before fleeing towards the entertainment centre.
The woman ran from the toilet block and raised the alarm before being taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for treatment, police said.
She was recovering well after the incident, Mr Alt said.
"She was the victim of a sexual attack and that for anyone is an absolutely traumatic incident to go through,'' he said.
Four of the men being sought were dressed in similar white overalls, suggesting they may be work mates.
Police are investigating whether the men were tradesmen, Mr Alt said.
Several of the men were carrying backpacks, one of them described as yellow and black.
Anyone with information can call City Central police on 9265 6499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
