Woman raped by monster on lonely shore of beach at Puckeys Estate

DRAG marks on a beach south of Sydney yesterday were an eerie reminder of the terror of a woman raped there just hours before.

Puckeys Esatate between North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow beaches.

DRAG marks through the sand on an isolated beach south of Sydney were an eerie reminder yesterday of the terror of a woman raped in that spot just hours before.

A 21-year-old woman was walking alone in the early hours on a stretch of beach known as Puckeys Estate, between North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow beaches, when an unknown attacker grabbed her from behind.

He dragged her over a nearby sand dune and raped her before fleeing into the night.

Only when people further up the beach heard her screams for help did the ordeal come to an end.

It is understood the woman had attended New Year's Eve celebrations when she set out alone along the beach shortly after 2.30am.

The terrifying incident was the latest in a string of unrelated sexual assaults in and around Sydney in which women have been grabbed from behind and dragged out of view to be raped.

A 23-year-old woman was allegedly raped in Surry Hills last month after being dragged out of sight over a retaining wall, and in November a 25-year-old Belgian tourist was raped after being dragged from the main street into a Potts Point laneway.

Wollongong locals expressed shock yesterday at the latest attack.

Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Club captain Jeremy Kuiper said the Puckeys Estate stretch was "fairly isolated".

"It's off the main road a little bit. You do see some suspicious people walking around there but we don't usually have any problems," he said.

Wollongong police Acting Inspector Dan Richardson said the 21-year-old victim had spoken to detectives after being treated in hospital, describing her attacker as caucasian, about 170cm tall, with a small build and wearing shorts and a black and silver necklace.

Insp Richardson said drag marks through the sand to the site of the rape were still visible when officers arrived to set up a crime scene.

He said the assault was an unfortunate reminder for people to avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night, and for friends to keep an eye on each other when out as a group to ensure no one was left alone.

"Obviously you should be entitled to walk by yourself at night but it might have helped if a different route was taken or some friends were there who might have assisted," he said.