NSW: Police warn of danger of sex attacks during festive season
By Caroline Gammell
SYDNEY, Dec 11 AAP - Sexual predators were using Christmas festivities to prey on youngchildren, police in NSW warned parents today.
The warning came after a six-year-old boy was grabbed and sexually assaulted only metresfrom his parents at a carols by candlelight concert in Sydney's south-west last Friday.
The youngster was playing with friends at the Carols by Candlelight at Mount AnnanBotanical Gardens when the attack occurred at 8.30pm (AEDT).
He was dragged into the bushes and sexually assaulted but made his way back to hisparents, who were fraught with worry.
The boy was missing for five minutes, during which time a search party franticallylooked for the boy, said Detective Senior Sergeant Simone Daly from the Liverpool JointInvestigation Response Team.
"This little boy's mother only lost sight of her son for five minutes," she said. "That'sall it takes.
"This man preyed on an innocent child during a family outing and he could do it again.
"I'd urge parents everywhere to be aware of their young children at all times."
Snr Sgt Daly said the boy had received medical treatment but was physically sound.
"Children are quite resilient, often the parents are more traumatised," she said.
The concert, held on the Lakeside Lawn at the gardens, was packed with 4,000 peoplein attendance.
The boy described his assailant - a balding Caucasian man wearing shorts and a shortsleeved shirt - but he could not fix an age.
Snr Sgt Daly said the boy had darker skin so the two together might have been noticedby witnesses as unusual.
She asked anyone who attended the carols concert and may have shot home videos or takenstill photos to turn them into police in the hope the man could be identified.
A video of the concert was being sent to police this afternoon, she added.
"There is always a risk (of this kind of incident) around this time of year," she said.
"It is really up to the parents to be a little more vigilant - not laying any blameon these parents - but if you can, keep a watch on your children."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 9822 8111 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
AAP cg/arb/apm/sb
KEYWORD: ASSAULT NIGHTLEAD
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