An elderly woman who was allegedly raped and physically assaulted by a complete stranger in her aged care home has sadly passed away in hospital. The 90-year-old woman suffered extensive injuries to her arms and legs after a man allegedly broke into her room at an aged care facility in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast, about 12:40 am last Wednesday.
She was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and tragically died on Tuesday morning, almost a week after the alleged attack. Brett Anthony Crawford, 34, also known as Brett Ralph, has been charged after allegedly breaking into the facility and assaulting the elderly woman.
Police will allege he used bedding to silence the woman’s cries for help and pinned her to the bed with such force that he tore the skin on her arms. He then allegedly sexually assaulted her before stealing some of her belongings and fleeing the scene.
The woman managed to alert staff and was quickly taken to the hospital in a serious condition. The State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad promptly set up Strike Force Easterbrook to investigate the incident.
Two days later, detectives raided a property at The Entrance and found electronics, SIM cards, and clothing. Following further inquiries, detectives attended a Caves Beach home where Crawford was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee. Police will allege Crawford ran out of the back door and jumped a fence to evade officers, sustaining minor injuries to his arm in the process. He was taken to the hospital for treatment.
On his release, Crawford was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with several offenses. They include aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offense-use violence, inflict actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse with the victim, aggravated sexual assault – break and enter with intent, and aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on the victim. Police will allege Crawford was already out on bail for several serious offenses at the time of the alleged incident.
After the attack, Sex Crimes Squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the woman was very traumatized by the alleged incident and in the care of her family. She expressed her shock at the attack, stating, “It is horrendous that any person in the safety of their home would [allegedly] be attacked like this, but to [allegedly] attack a defenseless old lady is beyond belief.” Supt Doherty also mentioned that the alleged attack appeared to be random and that the aged care facility has since increased its security measures.
The woman’s family has requested privacy as they grieve. Investigations are ongoing, and a report will be prepared for a Coroner.