Halliday Park Mitcham: Man arrested after alleged sexual assault on woman with pram

A man wanted in relation to an alleged sexual assault of a mother with a four-month old child in a Mitcham park has handed himself into police.

A woman was allegedly sexually assaulted twice at a park in Mitcham on Friday, January 6, 2023. File picture.

A man has been arrested and is being questioned by police over an alleged sexual assault on a woman with a pram in a Mitcham park.

Box Hill Detective senior sergeant Rachelle Ciavarella said a 21-year old Doncaster East man handed himself in at Doncaster police station about 2pm after a family member became aware of the incident on social media.

Police made a public appeal and released an image of the man on Thursday morning following the alleged attack at Halliday Park on Friday, January 6.

Box Hill Detective senior sergeant Rachelle Ciavarella speaks to the media outside Box Hill police station on Thursday, January 12, following an alleged sexual assault at a Mitcham park. Picture: Kiel Egging.

Sen-Sgt Ciavarella said the man was expected to be charged with sexual assault and earlier condemned the man’s alleged behaviour.

“She (the victim) was in a public place in the daytime and had every reason to feel safe,” she said.

The 27-year old Nunawading woman was walking her four-month old child in a pram in the park when the man allegedly stopped her, asked her to take a picture of him, as well as a selfie, and began kissing her.

Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak to following an alleged sexual assault at Halliday Park in Mitcham on January 6, 2023. Picture: Victoria Police.

The woman walked away but was followed by the man, who then allegedly kissed her again and put his arms around her.

She screamed, broke free from the man’s advances and then contacted her partner and later police.

Investigations into the alleged attack are continuing and any witnesses or anyone with information can phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.