Man to face sex charge

A truck driver has been charged with attempted sexual connection with an 8-year-old girl following an alleged incident in North Canterbury this month.

Detective Tanya Drake, of the Rangiora CIB, said the Christchurch man, who makes deliveries throughout Canterbury, met the girl by chance at the local store after a delivery on December 6, then went to her house where the alleged incident took place.

The man allegedly offered the "friendly little girl" a ride in his truck.

She gave the man her address and telephone number and went home. He then drove his truck to the house.

When her parents weren't at home, the man went into the girl's bedroom and allegedly removed her pants before attempting sexual connection.

"She was very distressed and told him to get lost," Detective Drake said. "She then ran back to the local store for help."

Detective Drake said police believed it was an "opportunistic incident" that the alleged offender may have attempted previously and they want to hear from anyone with information about any similar incidents in North Canterbury.

"We believe that if he's done this once, he's probably done it before," she said.

"It's a really bizarre incident. In this day and age men don't go into little girls' bedrooms like this."

Police arrested the man on Friday and he is to appear in Rangiora District Court in February.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Drake at the Rangiora police station, ph 313 2682.