Australia: ELDERLY WOMAN PAYS THE PRICE OF "SOFT" JUSTICE

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy has admitted bashing and raping an 83-year-old grandmother - even as she prayed to God. The terrified woman was so convinced she was going to die in the vicious attack on August 23 last year she prayed: "Lord God, into your hands I command my spirit", the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

The boy approached the woman on a Bendigo walking track after drinking four or five bourbon and cola drinks, and said: "I think you can help me". When the woman tried to hand over money, the boy kissed her aggressively, dragged her to the banks of a nearby creek, and raped and bashed her, the court heard. The woman begged for mercy, screaming 'Help lord Jesus, help lord God, help me", but the boy told her: "I'm going to f--- you till you die". Despite the woman's pleas, her attacker continued bashing her, biting her on the breast and gouging her eyes. The horrific attack ended when a passing cyclist and the victim's daughter responded to her screams. They discovered the woman lying nearly naked on the muddy banks of the creek with a badly bruised face.

The boy, who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to rape, making threats to kill, assault and intentionally causing serious injury. In an interview with police two days after the attack, he admitted he would have killed the grandmother had he not been caught. When asked why he launched the savage attack, he said: "I don't know. That's the thing, I don't know why." He told police: "I do stupid things when I'm drunk."

The woman was severely bruised and had cuts on her face and body. She now has heart problems. Despite her ordeal, in her victim impact statement she wrote that she hoped her attacker received "mental, moral and spiritual help". She also wrote that she would pray for him.

The boy's barrister, Gerard Mullaly, said his client was "overwhelmingly immature" and "unable to control his impulses". "He just lives in the immediate moment and doesn't consider the consequences of his actions," he told the court.

Three years ago, the boy, from central Victoria, was found guilty in a Children's Court of four counts of rape and one of attempted sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16. He was released on a 12-month supervision order without conviction. Yesterday, a Supreme Court judge remanded him in custody for sentencing.

Report here



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