A woman has been sexually assaulted while walking her dog on a Melbourne beach, police say.
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The victim, aged in her 40s, was on the foreshore path near the jetty at Sandringham about 7.30pm on January 3 when a man approached her wearing only a towel around his waist.
"The man has exposed himself and then indecently assaulted the woman," Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnson said.
"He has fled the scene after being disturbed by some passers-by."
Acting Inspector Brad Daly praised the woman's quick thinking after she managed to take a photo of the alleged offender.
"I'm sure she was very stressed but she was cool enough to take a photo of him. It's been of enormous benefit to us."
"She's coping. It's obviously a very stressful incident but she handled herself very well."
Acting Inspector Daly said the area was very well populated and busy.
"Lots of people walk along here and it happened during daylight, so it's very concerning."
The offender, is aged between 40 and 50, about 172 centimetres tall and bald.
He was wearing a number of necklacess and spoke with what is believed to have been an Italian accent, Ms Johnson said.
The man may have left the scene in a silver hatchback.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
with Francis Vinall
