Harassed jogger warned women

A TOOWOOMBA woman wants others to be aware of their safety after she was harassed by a stranger while jogging at Queens Park.

Ashleigh Hills said she was walking along Campbell St on Monday afternoon when a man of Indian appearance pulled up in a silver Hyundai.

“I had my earphones in, and he pulled over very quickly as soon as he saw me which I honestly didn’t think anything of until I thought I heard him yell something.” she said.

The man drove forward before doing a U-turn.

“He drove alongside me and initially yelled, ‘Hey come here, I have something to tell you’.” Ms Hills said.

“I just said, ‘No thanks I’m good,’ but he was persistent.”

Despite Ms Hills’ dismissal the man continued to call out.

“I started to lightly jog to try and get to my car quicker because I felt unsafe and nobody was around.

He began to seem frustrated I wasn’t coming over to his car,” she said.

It was not until Ms Hill phoned police that the man left her alone.

She stayed on the phone with police until she got to the safety of her car.

The incident left Ms Hills feeling shaken up and doubting the safety of jogging at Queens Park at sunset.

She is concerned for the safety of other young women.

“I wouldn’t do it again,” she said.

“I often see lots of girls walking on their own around Queens Park when I’m out.

“For me, I just felt in shock in the moment, like it wasn’t actually happening and after he drove away my instincts kicked in to just call Policelink and get to my car nice and quickly.”

The Queensland Police Service is investigating the matter.

Anyone who suffers an unwanted approach should phone Policelink on 131 444.

michael.nolan@thechronicle.com.au