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Suspect charged in teen's assault

NANAIMO – Fifteen-year-old girl struck and sexually assaulted in early morning attack.

One man is facing charges after he allegedly hit and sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in Nanaimo early Sunday.

The incident happened on Calder Road shortly before 4:48 a.m. when an RCMP officer, already responding to a complaint in the Kathryn Place area about a suspicious male, was flagged down by a woman in a vehicle. She said her daughter had just been sexually assaulted and she was taking her to Nanaimo Regional Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Other members continued to the Kathryn Place area where they found a man, naked from the waist down, who had broken into a house.

“He was running around and was found in another lady’s house,” said Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong, Nanaimo RCMP spokeswoman.

Police are not revealing the exact locations the incidents took place to protect the identities of witnesses and the victim.

The suspect was arrested for breaching court-ordered conditions, which included not consuming alcohol. Police are also not revealing the exact nature of the sexual assault.

The victim told police she was walking on Calder Road shortly before the attack occurred. She had sat down on the curb when she experienced a headache and nosebleed. The suspect approached her, struck her on the head and sexually assaulted her. She last saw him walking away. Armstrong described it as a random attack by a stranger.

As the victim started walking home from the scene, her uncle and mother stopped to pick her up. Another person also stopped them to ask if they were associated with the male who was running around without pants. Mounties would like to speak with that witness and any other potential witnesses to the assault.

Adam Synnuck, 22, of Nanaimo, appeared in Nanaimo provincial court Monday to face charges of sexual assault and breaking and entering. The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.



Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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