Brett Anthony Crawford has been charged with the alleged rape of a 90-year-old woman at an aged care facility in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast, about 50km north of Sydney.
NSW Police Force allege the 34-year-old man broke into the aged care facility at about 12.40am last Wednesday night, and allegedly assaulted the woman, before running out the back door. He allegedly silenced her cries for help with bedding.
The woman is understandably traumatised by the event, which police have described as “horrendous”, The Guardian reported. She was taken to hospital and treated for wounds to her arms, legs and head, and is being cared for by family and hospital staff.
Police say the man was allegedly out on bail for several serious offences. He was refused bail last week, and appeared at Belmont local court on Tuesday where he was charged with aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-use violence, inflict actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse with victim, aggravated sexual assault – break and enter with intent, and aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim.
The aged care facility has employed additional security to ensure residents feel safe, but The Guardian has reported they do not have ongoing safety concerns.
