More women have come forward to report being confronted by an alleged serial sex stalker across the Northern Beaches.
This has enabled police to lay 13 extra charges against a man at court today (Thursday, 29 October 2020) as part of an ongoing investigation into multiple alleged stalking and intimidation incidents in recent years.
In early 2019, detectives attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command established Strike Force Graffias to investigate reports a number of women were allegedly approached by a man while walking or exercising alone on the Northern Beaches.
Police will allege that between November 2017 and September 2020, the man approached the women and made offensive comments to them. It is further alleged that on a number of occasions the man exposed himself and performed a lewd act.
The approaches from the man to the women followed a similar pattern. Typically, the victims were walking alone when the man has overtaken them on foot, slowed and back-tracked towards them, making highly inappropriate comments of a sexual nature. The incidents occurred in broad daylight, leaving victims afraid to walk the streets alone.
On Thursday, 03 September 2020, strike force detectives attended a home at Warringah Road, Frenchs Forest, where they executed a search warrant and seized a small amount of drugs and clothing relevant to the investigation.
A 42-year-old Frenchs Forest man was then arrested at a work site at Birchgrove. He was taken to Newtown Police Station, where he was charged with 39 offences, including:
- Stalk / intimidate intend fear physical harm (x34)
- Carry out sexual act with another without consent (x5)
Following further investigations, the man was charged with an additional 13 charges at Manly Local Court today (Thursday, 29 October 2020).
The additional charges include:
- Stalk / intimidate intend fear physical harm (x11)
- Carry out sexual act with another without consent
- Sexual touching without consent
Police will allege in court the further offences relate to females aged between 16 and 51 at locations including Narrabeen, Frenchs Forest, Belrose, Dee Why, Fairlight, Forestville, Davidson, Curl Curl, Northbridge and Cammeray.
The police investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have encountered this man is encouraged to come forward and contact Northern Beaches Police at Dee Why Police Station on 02 9971 3399.
Image: NSW Police
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There is an updated version of this article with more up to date information.
