A man has been convicted of sexual assault following a disturbing break-in at an aged-care facility, where he attacked a 76-year-old resident.
During the trial, the defendant claimed he entered the elderly woman’s room to steal valuables in order to settle a drug debt. He alleged that the woman awoke and attacked him, insisting he did not engage in any sexual activity.
However, the court found these assertions unconvincing. In a ruling by Judge Michael McHugh in the NSW District Court, the defendant was found guilty of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent.
The court heard harrowing details of the incident, including testimony that the victim was discovered screaming and partially unclothed in the facility’s hallway after the assault. Sadly, the elderly woman has since passed away from unrelated causes.
The judge found Skinner guilty today of one count of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent.
Judge McHugh heard that the elderly woman, who has since passed away due to unrelated causes, was seen naked from the waist down and screaming in the facility’s hallway after the rape.
She gave several accounts in the hours after, including to her son, his partner and a nurse, that she had been attacked by a masked man in her room.
Her pants, underwear and incontinence pad were found by police next to her bed.
Skinner’s DNA was found on her clothing, genitals and under her fingernails, the court heard.
The burglar scaled the fence and entered the resident’s room through a sliding door that had been left unlocked after she had gone outside to watch a storm, the judge-alone trial was told.
He claimed she asked him “who the hell” he thought he was after spotting him in the dark and that she had grabbed him, pulling him onto her bed in a bear hug.
He said she had grabbed his genitals and hair, and wrapped her legs around his waist before he finally broke free.
Public defender Peter Pearsall contended that the elderly woman was an unreliable witness who had shown a “racial attitude”.
Skinner will remain behind bars where he has been since his arrest days after the sexual assault.
He will next appear at Coffs Harbour District Court on February 2 when a date for a sentence hearing will be set.
Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.
