‘Horrific’: Teen raped beside Matildas match live site

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A teenage girl became the victim of a violent sexual assault during the Matildas semi-final game, near a popular live broadcasting site on the state’s Mid North Coast, NSW Police allege.

She was allegedly dragged into dunes near the Town Beach Amphitheatre in Port Macquarie last Wednesday, as crowds cheered on nearby for the FIFA Women’s World Cup match between Australia and England.

The local 18-year-old was walking to meet some friends in the area when she was approached by a stranger at 8.30pm, NSW Police said.

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He forced her into the dunes down by the beachside access road Alban Pl and raped her, before fleeing on a pushbike, according to NSW Police detective inspector Peter O’Reilly, who called the attack “unprovoked” in a press conference on Sunday.

“This is a horrific incident,” he said.

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The alleged offender is described by police as a being aged in his 30s, of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance with a dark complexion, short black hair and a long beard that reached his chest. He was last seen wearing a black jumper and jeans.

Following the alleged attack, the young woman was assisted by people in the area at the time, and made her way to Port Macquarie Police Station.

“She was attended to by some professional services on the night,” O’Reilly said.

“A crime scene was then established at the beach.”

The teenager was walking to meet friends when she was forced into dunes near Alban Pl and sexually assaulted last Wednesday. File image. Credit: Google Maps

O’Reilly confirmed that police have increased their patrolling of the area surrounding the crime scene since the attack.

The area was crowded at the time of the attack due to the nearby live broadcast, prompting a police appeal to the public for information.

“We’re aware that there were a lot of people in the area at the time for that live broadcast, so we’d like to think that there are people in the community that may have information,” O’Reilly said.

“We’ve spoken to a number of people — we are aware that there were a number of people who were in the area at the time, one person in particular (a woman) who assisted (the 18-year-old woman).”

Anyone with phone footage or dashcam footage at that time is urged to contact Port Macquarie police.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.