Man charged with Altona Meadows sexual assaults

Goya Dmytryshchak

A man has been charged with four counts of sexual assault after four women were assaulted in Altona Meadows.

Police had been hunting a man on a bike who sexually assaulted three women within half an hour in Altona Meadows on Thursday last week.

Another woman reported being assaulted the day before.

Investigators say a man on a black electric bike rode past three separate women as they walked along the Skeleton Creek Trail between 3.30pm and 4pm on Thursday.

Sergeant Mark Drane of Hobsons Bay crime investigation unit said police arrested and charged a man on Friday.

“Detectives from Hobsons Bay CIU arrested a 22-year-old male from Altona Meadows during the execution of a search warrant at Altona Meadows,” he said.

“The man was arrested in relation to the offence of sexual assault.

“That relates to the investigation of the incidents last week at the trail.

“He’s been charged with four counts of sexual assault.

“Police seized a motorised bicycle.”

The man has also been charged with unlicensed driving associated with the bicycle.

He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 11 next year.

The Skeleton Creek trail is a popular shared bike and pedestrian trail.