Investigators have released a COMFIT image of a man and are appealing for public assistance, as part of ongoing investigations into the sexual assault of a young girl more than 42 years ago.
Police were told the girl, then aged nine, was playing with friends in bushland off Randal Crescent and Richard Close, North Rocks, on the afternoon of Sunday 1 July 1979 before she was approached by a man who claimed to be a council ranger.
The man – described as being aged between 25 and 30 years old – took the girl away from her friends and further into the bushland where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation into the incident.
Despite extensive investigations by local police at the time and over the years, no one has been charged in relation to the assault.
As part of ongoing inquiries, investigators with assistance from the Facial Recognition Unit have now released an additional COMFIT image of a man who they believe may be able to assist with the investigation.
The man – as reconstructed by the victim’s description – is shown in the image as he would have appeared at the time, next to how police predict he would look now.
It is understood the man may have lived in the North Rocks area at the time of the incident but could have moved away since.
Detectives are urging anyone who may recognise the man depicted in the COMFIT image, or who has information about the incident, to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
