A 32-year-old man has been charged with rape and stalking after the alleged “horrific” assault of a young woman on her early-morning walk west of Brisbane.
Detectives from the Ferny Grove Child Protection and Investigation Unit allege the woman, in her 20s, was walking along Brookfield Road near Moggill Creek in Brookfield, a semi-rural suburb west of Brisbane, about 6.33am on Thursday when she was stopped by an unknown man.
Police say the Raceview man sexually assaulted the woman before she fought him off and escaped, running up the creek towards the Brookfield Showgrounds.
He was described as wearing black shorts and a black jumper, and police said he fled on foot following the attack.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham described the alleged assault as “horrific” and said it had shocked the local community.
“She was a determined young lady that knew what was occurring to her was horrific.
“She knew help was some distance away, but she was very lucky to make it through up an adjoining creek up towards the showgrounds at Brookfield, where she called for assistance, and that assistance was provided very quickly,” he said.
“I know this incident has shocked not only the local community but also the wider Brisbane region.”
The woman was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for treatment.
Officers found a 32-year-old man on Moon Lane, a street in Brookfield, on Thursday afternoon, and took him into custody.
He has been charged with six counts of rape, stalking, assault with intent to commit rape, assault occasioning bodily harm and deprivation of liberty.
He was expected to appear before Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on Friday.
A heavy police presence was noted near the bridge and throughout Brookfield on Thursday.
Massingham told reporters he expected officers would have spoken to more than 100 people by Friday morning.
An investigation command centre had been established in Ferny Grove, Massingham said, adding a mobile beat would be set up at the showgrounds.
He appealed for anyone who was in the Brookfield area about the time of the alleged assault to get in touch with police.
“It is imperative that any person in that area between 5.30am and 7.30am comes forward with any information relating to any suspicious activity or any dashcam that they may have of that general area,” Massingham said.
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