– With AAP.
Warning: This article deals with an account of rape/sexual assault and may be triggering for some readers.
1. Jogger allegedly raped and nearly drowned during Melbourne trail attack.
A 25-year-old man allegedly raped, choked and nearly drowned a woman in a horrific attack off a popular walking track in Melbourne’s north.
Joel Russo, 25, faces a string of charges including 10 of rape, one of attempted rape and three of sexual assault over the attack along Merri Creek at Coburg on Tuesday evening.
The woman, aged in her 20s, was attacked while jogging about 6.30pm on Tuesday.
Russo is also accused of holding his alleged victim’s head under water and choking her, court documents show.
At about 10pm, the woman persuaded Russo to walk her more than two kilometres to McDonald’s in Brunswick East where she screamed and he fled.
Customers inside helped the woman and she was taken to hospital.
Russo was arrested about 1am on Wednesday, after he allegedly attempted to rob a service station in Carlton.
The accused rapist asked not to be brought into the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a filing hearing on Thursday, when his lawyer revealed the 25-year-old had bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, an acquired brain injury and intellectual disability.
He was arrested hours after the incident and charged with 17 offences, including reckless conduct endangering life and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.
He has been prescribed anti-depressants and also takes medication for chronic back pain, the court was told.
Top Comments
Another violent attack against an innocent person and you just spin the wheel and see if it lands on;
1. On Parole
2. On Bail
3. History of mental illness
4. Known to Police
3 today, another person who shouldn’t be out on our streets, who should be either still behind bars or receiving mental health help in a secure facility. Thanks again Government for another violent offender out in the community.
Another violent attack against an innocent woman* and you just spin the wheel and see if it lands on;
1. On Parole
2. On Bail
3. History of mental illness
4. Known to Police
3 today, another man* who shouldn’t be out on our streets, who should be either still behind bars or receiving mental health help in a secure facility. Thanks again Government for another violent offender out in the community.
There. Fixed it for you. This is a gendered issue and pretending it isn't helps no one.
Yeah Max, can ya tell us between men and women, which is more likely to be assaulted or murdered? Yeah, that would be men, but you don’t seem to care about that detail. I’m making a point about the failure of the system being at the root cause of violent attacks, can I do that without you having to make it about women always the victims?
Melbourne, honestly, what on earth is going wrong with your young men?
If we didn’t have violent offenders out on bail or parole and if we had deeply disturbed people in secure care and receiving treatment, damn this city would be such a safe place for women to walk around in.