Police appeal for information after girl, 10, attacked in brazen assault in public toilets

Police are appealing for information from the Afghan community about a man who allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old girl in a “brazen” attack at a Blair Athol public toilet last Wednesday.

Police are appealing information from the Afghan community about a man who allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old girl in a “brazen” attack at a Blair Athol public toilets last Wednesday.

Special Crime detectives released a computer generated image of the suspect and an audio message in Hazaragi or Dari language, urging anyone who may know the man to come forward.

The girl, who was also of Afghan descent, was sexually assaulted in the toilets at the Blair Athol Sport Community Club, off Leslie Ave, sometime between 5pm and 5.30pm on Wednesday during soccer training.

The man was in the company of two girls, aged between three and five — one was wearing pink clothing — near the playground.

Special Crime Detectives investigating the sexual assault of a girl at Blair Athol last week have release a computer generated image of the suspect. Picture: SAPOL

Detective chief inspector Richard Lambert said the man was likely the father or a close relative of the two young girls, who appeared “quite comfortable” with him.

He said people in the vicinity of the clubrooms, playground, car park or public toilets may have seen the man behaving suspiciously or seen unusual activity, particularly around 4.30pm to 6pm.

“They may not have taken any notice because it may have look quite natural for him to be walking around and specifically walking towards the toilets with young girls … they were not to know he had an ulterior motive,” he said.

He said the alleged assault was alarming because of “the age of the girl … the time of the day which is during daylight hours and it is committed during a sport function and lots of people around”.

“It is very brazen,” he said.

“Because of the nature of the crime being committed, of course it would lead you to wonder about what’s occurring to the other two girls as well, which is vital for us to identify him quickly.”

The suspect is described as an Afghan male, approximately 30 to 50 years old, with dark hair with a fringe that partially covered his forehead.

He was believed to be wearing a grey top and peach shorts at the time.

Police believed the man live in the area, but did not discount that he may have driven to the park.

“If the man responsible for this crime is listening … I’d advise you to be aware that this investigation would not stop until you’re caught,” detective chief inspector Lambert said.

“It’s not a matter of if you would be caught, it’s a matter of when.”

Police believed the man live in the area, but did not discount the fact he may have driven to the park.

A security footage of the young victim from the park on the day has also been released in the hope that someone may recall seeing her.

The man has not been linked to any previous reports of sexual assault in the area.

Anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.