Man charged with stalking, attempted abduction over Hawthorn attack
A man has been charged after a young woman was allegedly stalked and attacked in Melbourne's east last week.
The 30-year-old from Kew was arrested in relation to an incident in the early hours of Sunday, November 22, in which a 25-year-old woman was allegedly stalked around the Glenferrie and Burwood roads area in Hawthorn.
The woman told police that just before 1am, she believed she was being followed. She changed her walking route and called a friend to alert them to her situation.
Police say that a man then followed her in a car. CCTV footage shows a man pulling on a black balaclava mask moments before she was grabbed.
The woman elbowed the man in the stomach as he allegedly attempted to choke her and drag her backwards into Henry Street.
Police arrested a man on Monday and charged him on Tuesday morning with stalking, attempted abduction, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, false imprisonment, and assault with intent to sexually assault.
Police have said there is no known connection between the woman and the alleged attacker.
Detectives last week said the victim was "really, really shaken" by the attack, but said she had no physical injuries.
The Kew man was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday for a filing hearing.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
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Rachael Dexter is a breaking news reporter at The Age.