New Westminster police investigate alleged assault on woman in Sapperton

New Westminster police are investigating after a woman alleged that a stranger assaulted her in the Sapperton area last week.

The woman reported that she was walking east of Sapperton Park at about 9 p.m. on Sept. 3 when an unknown man approached her, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a wall.

The New Westminster Police Department said the woman kicked the suspect, who then fled eastbound. B.C. Emergency Health Services attended, but police said the woman was not taken to hospital.

Police describe the suspect as a slim white man with dark curly hair, about 5 feet 3 inches tall and believed to be around 18 years old. He was reportedly wearing a white Nike hoodie and black Adidas sweatpants.

Sgt. Andrew Leaver asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash-cam or surveillance footage from the area to contact investigators at the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.