An 80-year-old man has been released on bail after he was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting an aged care resident with dementia on two separate occasions at a Sydney facility last week.
NSW Police allege that William John Newbold, 80, was a regular registered visitor of the Galston facility – which has yet to be named – and entered the room of an 87-year-old female resident with dementia where he touched her genitals on Monday, January 8, and then had sexual intercourse with her on Thursday, January 11.
On Friday, police responded to the report, attended the facility where they set up a crime scene, began their investigation and then arrested Mr Newbold at his Asquith home.
Mr Newbold was initially refused bail but has since been freed from custody after he appeared at a bail hearing via video link at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.
During the hearing, Mr Newbold did not enter pleas to any of the charges as his Legal Aid lawyer told the court there had been “some significant concern about the deterioration of Mr Newbold’s cognitive health”, thus requesting a suppression order. Magistrate Lyon denied the request due to a lack of medical evidence.
However, Mr Newbold – who had no criminal history – was granted bail with conditions he reports to Hornsby police station once a week, remains 500 metres away from the aged care facility and does not contact prosecuting witnesses or the alleged victim. He is also not to apply for an Australian passport or approach any international departure points.
Police have said the alleged victim was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital and had not suffered serious physical injuries.
A spokesperson for the aged care facility told The Sydney Morning Herald that support had been provided to the resident and the incident had been referred to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
“As the matter is subject to a criminal investigation, we are not able to provide any further comment,” the spokesperson said.
NSW Police was contacted by HelloCare and could not make any further comment while the matter was before the court.
Mr Newbold will return to Hornsby Local Court on March 14.
This follows news of a 19-year-old man who was arrested over an alleged sexual assault in a Coffs Harbour aged care home on New Year’s Day.
Recent data indicates NSW police are making an average of 12 visits to aged care homes every day as the number of assaults in aged care increases.
I believe that it would be more correct to state:
Recent data indicates NSW police are making an average of 12 visits to aged care homes every day as the number of REPORTS OF assaults in aged care increases.
I doubt that there is an actual increase in assaults but that there is more awareness and reporting of these offences.