Narara rapist: Camouflage experts say attacker used ‘unusual’ ghillie suit mask to assault Central Coast schoolgirl

THE camouflage mask worn by a man when he raped a 12-year-old girl on the Central Coast is extremely unusual, a camouflage gear expert who helped police with their investigation says.

The distinctive mask used by the Central Coast attacker.

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THE camouflage mask worn by a man when he raped a 12-year-old girl on the Central Coast is extremely unusual, a camouflage gear expert who helped police with their investigation says.

On Sunday detectives revealed they believed the attacker was wearing a “3D, leafy Ghille suit” when he raped the girl on her way to school on May 15 in Narara.

Detectives from Strike Force Garawan — formed to investigate the assault — believe the same man also attempted to abduct an 18-year-old woman at Narara Railway Station on Sunday, June 4.

Detectives believe the suit’s mask was a rare or unusual example.

Police believe the attacker was using a Ghille suit.

Manning Sports, a sporting goods store in Gosford, has been helping investigators with their inquiries over several weeks.

The suit, more commonly associated with military snipers, allows the wearer to blend in with their surroundings.

Employee Sarah Hole said they sold Ghillie suits, which were also available for purchase on eBay.

However she said she had never seen the hat which the offender wore when he abducted the girl and she believed it would be quite rare or unusual.

“The Ghillie suits are very readily available on eBay, we do have them in store, they are not an incredibly big seller,” she said.

The attack occurred on the Central Coast.

“The hat is rather tricky, the hat is not common, I’ve not seen them for sale before. I do the ordering and buying for the store and it’s not something I’ve seen for sale to me before.”

Ms Hole said Manning Sports had been helping police by lending seven or eight items of camo gear to them so the could show the girl who was raped.

“We loaned them bits and pieces so the little girl didn’t have to come down here,” she said.

“Anything we can do to help, we’re more than happy to do it.

“With camo gear in particular there are lots of different blends and patterns, for instance there can be a green blend or a brown blend,” she said.

“They (detectives) approached us very shortly after the initial incident, we loaned them a bunch of stuff.”

The 12-year-old girl was walking along a pathway between Reeves and Carrington streets at Narara at 7.45am when the man grabbed her from behind and took her to nearby bushland.

He then bound her with cable ties, gagged her and raped her.

The ghillie suit is typically used for concealment in the field by the military.

A “ghillie” suit similar to the attacker’s.

The girl escaped and made her way to school where she reported the incident.

Just weeks later, a man grabbed a woman around the neck when she got off at Narara Railway Station.

The woman kicked back at the man, breaking free from his grip before fleeing for help.

Both girls described the man as being aged in his mid-20s, 175-180cm tall, with a chubby build, grey/blond hair, and blue eyes. They also described various items of camouflage clothing.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.