A 34-year-old man has appeared in court charged over a sexual and physical assault of a 90-year-old woman at her aged care home in NSW.
The elderly woman was allegedly assaulted by a man who broke into the facility in Bateau Bay, on the Central Coast, about 12.40am on November 15.
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The nonagenarian was treated for serious injuries in hospital after the attack, which police say has left her traumatised.
Police allege a man broke into the nursing home before attacking the woman, using bedding to silence her calls for help, and pinning her to the bed, causing injuries to her arms, legs and head.
They also allege he stole some of the woman’s property before leaving.
Brett Anthony Crawford, 34, was arrested at a home at Caves Beach, near Lake Macquarie, on Monday and charged with a string of crimes, including committing a serious indictable offence using violence and aggravated sexual assault.
Crawford appeared in Belmont Local Court on Tuesday.
He did not apply for bail and will remain behind bars until his next appearance at Gosford Local Court in February.
Sex Crimes Squad commander Jayne Doherty said the community would understandably be “in uproar” over an attack on a vulnerable, elderly woman.
“It is horrendous that someone, any person in the safety of their home, would be attacked like this, but to attack a very defenceless old lady is beyond belief,” she told reporters earlier on Tuesday.
The woman was being looked after by her family and medical staff as she recovered from severe wounds to her arm, Detective Superintendent Doherty said.
Extra security was hired at the aged-care home to ensure residents felt safe, but NSW Police said they had no ongoing safety concerns.
– With AAP
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