Teen charged with intent to commit rape after allegedly punching woman

A teenager has been charged with intent to commit sexual assault after he allegedly attacked a woman while she was walking her dog on a popular track.

A teenager has been charged with intent to commit rape after he allegedly pushed a woman to the ground and punched her in the face at a walking track in Townsville.

The 39-year-old woman was walking her dog along the Blacks Weir Park walking track in Kirwan about 6.45am on Monday when she was approached by a teenager on his bike.

The 18-year-old allegedly made inappropriate comments to the woman before he pushed her to the ground and punched her in the face.

According to police, the woman managed to free herself and the man fled the scene on foot.

A teenager charged with sexual assault with intent to rape allegedly pushed a woman to the ground and punched her in the face. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

The woman was treated for minor facial injuries.

The 18-year-old Douglas man has since been charged with one count of assault with intent to commit rape.

He’s set to front the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr earlier said she was “deeply disturbed” by the attack, according to the Townsville Bulletin.

“This is an abhorrent and disgusting attack on someone who was going about their daily business and walking along the beautiful location that is the Riverway Precinct,” Ms Marr said.

“Every person in this community has the right to feel safe, and the right to freely exercise without the fear of being attacked or subjected to such violence.

“As someone who frequently uses this area, I am deeply disturbed by this attack and encourage anyone who may have been nearby around the time to present to the Queensland Police Service and provide any potentially relevant information.”