A Coraki teenager remains behind bars after being refused bail over the alleged rape and attempted murder of a woman at Lismore on Saturday.
Police said a 43 year-old woman was alone in her Little Keen Street home sometime after 4am when she woke to find the 16 year-old boy inside the house.
Armed with a knife, the teen allegedly threatened the woman, before a struggle ensued and she was sexually assaulted.
The teen then demanded money, and during a further struggle, the woman was hit on the head by an unknown object causing her to scream, alerting neighbours.
The boy fled the scene and the woman was treated by paramedics for a stab wound to her back, facial injuries and lacerations to her hands and arms.
She was then taken to Lismore Base Hospital where her injuries, which were not considered to be life-threatening were treated.
Following an investigation into the incident, about 7.25pm on Wednesday, police from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad and Richmond LAC attended a Coraki address and arrested a 16-year-old boy.
He was charged with causing wounding to person with intent to murder, aggravated sexual assault – Inflicting actual bodily harm on victim, special aggravated commit Indictable offence in dwelling and break out, and wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The boy was remanded in custody overnight to appear at Lismore Children’s Court on Thursday.
Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Lindsay said the arrest of the teen came after an investigation was launched immediately following the incident.
He said officers from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad along with Richmond Local Area Command Detectives combined their resources to make the arrest.
‘There has been a lot of investigation into the alleged movements of the offender prior to and after the attack,’ he said.
‘A significant amount of forensic material will be presented before courts.
‘We will allege that he has forced his way into the house and we’ll allege that he has sexually assaulted the occupant and further that he has stabbed the occupant with a knife.
“It’s the stuff of nightmares.’
Det Chf Insp Lindsay said police believed there was no connection between the woman and the teenager, which was quite rare, as in most sexual assault matters the victim is known to the offender.
‘A crime of this type is thankfully extremely rare and at the same time extremely shocking for a community like this,’ he said
At Lismore Local Court on Thursday, the boy was refused bail and his matters were adjourned until February 20, when he is expected to appear via videolink.
The brief of evidence against the boy was ordered to be served on the defence by February 6.
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