Woman allegedly sexually assaulted by intruder at NSW aged care facility
Bateau Bay
A man has faced court accused of assaulting a 90-year-old woman inside a NSW Central Coast aged care facility.
Police allege Brett Anthony Crawford, 34, broke into the Uniting Nareen Gardens facility in Bateau Bay last Wednesday about 1am where he allegedly assaulted and sexually assaulted the 90-year-old resident.
“Police will allege the male entered the facility and went to the room of the 90-year-old female,” Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said.
“Once inside the room he used bedding to silence the cries for help whilst he pinned her to the bed causing injuries to her arms, legs and head.
“Police will allege the man then sexually assaulted the female before stealing her property, leaving the woman (with) extensive injuries to her arms which were bleeding.”
The woman managed to alert residential staff, who called police, the woman was then taken to hospital where she was treated for serious injuries.
A crime scene was established at the facility by police.
Detectives executed a search warrant at an address in The Entrance last Friday, seizing a number of items including electronics, SIM cards and clothing.
Crawford was arrested at a home in Caves Beach about 7.30pm yesterday after allegedly attempting to flee from police.
He was taken to hospital for minor injuries to his arm.
Doherty said police have not yet been able to find any connection between Crawford, the aged care facility and the woman before the alleged offence.
Crawford was charged with numerous offences including aggravated break and enter, inflicting actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse with the victim, and aggravated sexual assault.
His lawyers didn’t make a bail application.
Crawford will remain behind bars until his next court appearance in eight weeks.
Doherty earlier labelled the incident as “horrendous”.
“It’s extremely sad that these instances occur in the first place,” she said.
“We understand the community will be in uproar (over) this type of offence. Our heart goes out to the victim, her family and residents of the aged care home.
“It’s horrendous that any person in the safety of their home would be attacked like this, (and) to attack a defenceless old lady, it’s beyond belief.”
