Police claim boy raped woman, 58

A 27-YEAR-OLD Eastern Heights man has faced court for the brutal rape of a deaf female pensioner which allegedly occurred more than 11 years ago.

In a protracted attack which shocked the Ipswich community, the then 58-year-old pensioner was savagely dragged around her home in a headlock, beaten, strangled, raped and urinated on, after her assailant broke in through the front door of the Thorn Street house late at night.

In a final miserable act, the attacker stole $4 from his victim before fleeing on foot.

The victim was later treated in hospital for a broken nose, swelling to the mouth, black eyes and cuts.

Police at the time launched a massive appeal to the public to assist the investigation.

Police were not able to comment on what led to the arrest 11 years after the incident, however, The Queensland Times understands a review of DNA evidence in 2008 allowed police to progress the investigation.

Officers from the Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch, with the assistance of State Crime Operation Command’s Cold Case and Serial Sex Crime Team, conducted the investigation into the incident.

Police arrested and charged the man on Monday.

He was represented by defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough yesterday at Ipswich Magistrates Court, where the case was adjourned until today.

There was no application for bail.

The alleged offender would have only been 16 years old at the time of the June 26, 1999 incident.

This means he will be tried as a child and cannot be identified.

He has been charged with 27 offences – all relating to the same incident – including rape, deprivation of liberty, torture, assault occasioning bodily harm and robbery with violence.