Taita assailant sought

A woman was hospitalised after she was set upon near some shops in Lower Hutt. The serious assault happened on a footpath in High St, Taita, about 4am yesterday. The offender was described as a very dark-skinned male with short dreadlocks. He was believed to have left the area on a bike and was last seen riding north towards Silverstream. The victim required medical attention and is being given support, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Sears said. ‘‘I urge anyone who may have seen anything in the Taita shops area, or a male riding a bicycle [in the area] to contact police urgently.’’