A 16-year-old boy is in custody after allegedly assaulting a woman in the Alice Springs CBD overnight.

The 35-year-old victim told police she was confronted by the youth in the early hours of the morning in Gregory Terrace. He then dragged her into nearby Tuit Lane and sexually assaulted her until she managed to flee and alert a security guard in the Todd Mall. Police and ambulance were called and the woman was taken to the Alice Springs Hospital for treatment.

Police arrested the alleged offender in Gregory Terrace a short time later and a crime scene was established.

Detective Acting Superintendent Travis Wurst said detectives from the Southern Investigations Division were investigating the incident and the youth is expected to be interviewed later today.

“This was a particularly brutal assault and given where the incident took place - in the middle of the CBD - we believe someone must have seen or heard something,” Det A/Supt Wurst said.

“That is why we are urging anyone who may have been in the area between 1.30am and 3am to come forward.”

Anyone with information is urged to phone police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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