Goulburn sexual assault: NSW Police detectives appeal for public assistance

Two brutal attacks on young women in less than two weeks have Goulburn residents feeling unsafe and police warning them to ‘take precautions’ when out at night.

A teenage girl bashed unconscious and raped on a public street banged on a stranger’s door saying ‘help me, help me’ while dripping in blood, before she flagged down a motorist who came to her aid.

The 19-year-old’s terrifying ordeal on a Goulburn street was revealed yesterday as her sister begged the public for help in “getting justice” by finding the attacker, who police believe has already struck twice in the country town, and may not stop there.

The woman was walking along Bourke Street last Friday night, when an unknown man approached her, about 11pm.

NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad detectives, who have swarmed the town since the terrifying attack, said the man grabbed the woman, threw her to the ground and repeatedly punched her in the face until she lost consciousness. He then sexually assaulted her.

A resident whose house the distraught woman ran to said she banged on the door screaming “help me, help me”, while leaving smears of blood on the handle and framework.

The intersection of Bourke St and Addison St, where a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on April 14, 2023. Picture: Sam Turner

The resident said the woman was there for 30 seconds before she left, where she then flagged down a passing car who took her to Goulburn Police Station for help.

The victim was treated in Goulburn Hospital for facial and other injuries, and yesterday, her sister posted on social media saying “justice needs to be done”.

“Please help catch who did this,” the victim’s sister wrote.

In a chilling twist, police believe the same man may be responsible for a similar attack on an 18-year-old girl on April 5, where an unknown man punched her in the face on Blackshaw Rd about 10pm, but she managed to break free and get herself to hospital for treatment.

CCTV footage of a man police wish to speak to.

Blackshaw Rd in Goulburn where an 18-year-old woman was assaulted on April 5.

Sex Crimes Squad boss Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said someone must be able to recognise the wanted man, who is aged in his late 30s to early 40s, caucasian, about 180cm tall, with a solid build, and a scruffy beard.

“Someone in Goulburn knows who this male is,” she said.

She said residents shouldn’t be alarmed, but said they should “take precautions” and be aware of who may be on the streets at night and anyone who they may be concerned about.

Goulburn Motor Inn's Noel Moti. Picture: Sam Turner

Locals around where the sexual assault took place told The Daily Telegraph the area was prone to unusual behaviour from people who would walk up to properties and demand entry while asking about their homes.

Many residents said they felt “unsafe” since the attack occurred within a kilometre from Goulburn’s CBD.

Goulburn Motor Inn’s Noel Moti, whose business is on Bourke St, said he hoped the police caught the assailant.

“I hope they catch this guy … someone must’ve seen something,” Mr Moti said.

“This street is very busy, especially with the pubs and clubs on a Friday and Saturday night.”

Mr Moti, who has been in Goulburn for the last two years, said the town is quite a safe place to live and had faith detectives would catch the attacker.

Blackshaw Rd in Goulburn where an 18-year-old woman was assaulted on April 5. Picture: Sam Turner

Police are calling for public assistance to identify a man captured on CCTV footage, who detectives believe can help the investigation.

The man is described as being of caucasian appearance, aged in his late 30s to early 40s, about 180cm tall, with a solid build, and a scruffy beard.

Detective superintendent Jayne Doherty said police were confident the man could be identified.

“Someone in Goulburn knows who this male is,” she said. “And that’s who we want to come forward. Ring Crimestoppers, or ring the Goulburn police and let us know what concerns you have over some person you may know.

“Anyone who has any information that can lead us to the identity of that person, we would like to hear from them,” Det Supt Doherty said.

Ms Doherty said police did not want Goulburn residents to be alarmed, but said they should “take precautions” and be aware of who may be on the streets at night and anyone who they may be concerned about.

She said Goulburn residents should not walk alone at night and should tell others where they were going.

“Any incidents they feel might be connected, tell the police,” she said.

Goulburn police have put on extra night patrols since the incident.

Anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from Addison or Bourke streets between 10.30pm and 11.15pm on Friday, or from Blackshaw Rd between 10.30pm and 11pm on April 5, to contact Goulburn Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.