A fake 'good Samaritan' is accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman after helping carry home her groceries.
The 83-year-old met the unknown man near Charles Mance Reserve, at Merrylands in Sydney's west, on Tuesday afternoon.
He offered to help wheel the woman's shopping trolley home before forcing his way inside and allegedly sexually assaulting her.
"He has gained her trust, and then he has broken that trust by breaking into her home and assaulting her," Detective Acting Superintendent Rachel Fawcett told reporters on Wednesday.
The man allegedly fled with some property belonging to the woman, including her house keys.
The victim was physically uninjured but taken to hospital for assessment. She raised the alarm hours later to a neighbour, who alerted police.
Det Fawcett said the alleged assault was especially abhorrent because the attacker betrayed the woman's trust.
"It's particularly appalling when the most vulnerable members of our community are preyed upon and, in a place they should feel safe, that they're attacked."
Police have released images of a man they believe can assist their investigation. He is described as having fair skin, with dark hair and a slight beard.
Police are treating it as an isolated incident.
"We need to work really hard to make sure that we don't have a repeat of this incident," Det Fawcett said.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
