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AAP
AAP
National
Tara Cosoleto

Police appeal after 'brutal' 1982 sexual assault

Victoria Police say the offender would have been in his late teens, 190cm tall with brown hair. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Detectives are appealing for information into a "brutal and opportunistic" sexual assault that happened in the Melbourne CBD more than 40 years ago.

The then 21-year-old woman was leaving work in the early hours of May 6, 1982, when she was followed by a young man along Batman Avenue near the Yarra River.

She first noticed him about 100 metres behind her so she increased her pace, but he ran and attacked her from behind, grabbing hold of her neck.

He pulled her to the banks of the Yarra where he knocked her backwards to the ground, choking her before he sexually assaulted her.

Afterwards, the man said he knew where she lived and he would kill her if she told anyone what happened.

He also told her his name was Stephen although detectives believe that may not be true.

The woman reported the attack to police but no one has ever been arrested over the assault.

Victoria Police on Tuesday issued a fresh appeal for information, with detectives describing the attack as "brutal and opportunistic".

"This man has lived these last 40 years with relative freedom and no repercussions yet for what he did," Detective Inspector Mark Burnett said in a statement.

"It is as important as ever that the person responsible is brought to justice and I absolutely believe that with the right information, it can be solved."

The offender is described as being about 16 to 18 years old at the time, 190cm tall with brown hair and stubble on his face or possibly a goatee.

His hair was styled up and he was wearing a watch that had a round face with a light on it and numbers that were raised.

Anyone with information should contact police.

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