Friday, July 29, 2011

Man who raped 85-year-old woman said he did it for a thrill

A MAN who bashed and raped an 85-year-old woman at a Melbourne train station says he did it for a "thrill".

Country Court Judge Duncan Allen said 65-year-old Allan Richard Hodson's attack on the elderly woman in January was "spine chilling".

"It's hard to imagine any rape of this type - a rape of a stranger in a public place - that is a lot worse than that," Judge Allen said during Hodson's pre-sentence hearing today.

Prosecutor Chris Ryan said Hodson "chillingly" described to police his motivation for the attack.

Hodson told police, "Here's a good opportunity, I suppose, to have a bit of a thrill," Mr Ryan told the court.

Hodson also admitted to police his victim was frail.

Mr Ryan said Hodson, of Bairnsdale, had travelled to Melbourne that day for a psychiatric visit and had drunk four bottles of beer before the attack.

The pre-sentence hearing before Judge Allen is continuing.

The ABC reported that the judge had set a minimum term of eight years to be served.

Source http://www.news.com.au/national/man-who-raped-85-year-old-woman-said-he-did-if-for-a-thrill/story-e6frfkvr-1226104300744