A homeless man has been charged over an alleged sexual assault inside an aged care home.
The 29-year-old was arrested by Sex Crimes Squad detectives in Coffs Harbour, northern NSW, at about 2.30pm on Thursday.
He was charged with aggravated sex assault- break and enter with intent, and refused bail to appear in Port Macquarie Local Court on Friday.
Police said emergency services were called to the facility about 2.30am on New Year’s Day after reports a woman, 76, was sexually assaulted by an unknown man who broke into her room.
The woman was treated at the scene and taken to hospital for further examination and treatment.
Commander of State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty described the attack as “horrendous”.
“The woman heard a door open and woke to see a man walking through her room with a stocking over his face,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.
The alleged victim then kicked her attacker in the groin and scratched at his face, she said.
“As a result of that, he moved back and the woman managed to get to her feet and run through an internal door to where night staff were working.
The alleged attacker then fled the facility.
Detective Superintendent Doherty said the alleged victim has been left with bruises and scratches but is being well supported by family.
“To break into a nursing home, you are only going to find vulnerable people living there. It beggars belief that someone would do this,” she said.
“An attack like this in the security of your own bed is very difficult to come to terms with.”
She said the alleged attacker had “no fixed place of abode”.
