Michael Martin was aged 26 when he’s first accused of the tried rape of Jessie Grace Lauder in 1981, when she was 81, after which aged 28 when he allegedly raped her once more in 1983, a court docket was advised.
The Hoppers Crossing man, now 69, utilized for bail at Melbourne Magistrates’ Courtroom on Tuesday the place particulars of the alleged crimes have been aired.
Sexual crimes squad Detective Richard Kelly mentioned Martin grew up in a house 45 metres throughout the highway from Lauder’s, on Mason Avenue in Newport.
Martin then moved about 200 metres away from Lauder, to close by Oxford Avenue along with his spouse.
The detective mentioned DNA proof from the 2 alleged intercourse assaults was preserved by police forensics till developments have been made to DNA testing.
In 2022, he mentioned the samples have been examined and a familial match was discovered, which led them to Martin.
He was not arrested and charged over the incidents till January 24, which Kelly mentioned was resulting from delays in evaluating Martin’s DNA with the pattern.
He mentioned plenty of different gadgets seized from Lauder’s house in 1983 had been despatched off for forensic testing.
Martin has been charged with two counts of tried aggravated rape, aggravated housebreaking, aggravated indecent assault, rape, housebreaking and customary assault.
Kelly alleged, in September 1981, Lauder heard a loud bang behind her house after which noticed Martin standing with a knife at her bed room door.
Martin was carrying gloves, had a pair of underwear over his head and advised Lauder to pay him $10 for intercourse earlier than he tried to rape her, the detective mentioned.
“She felt sick, and so frightened, she felt she ought to do as he mentioned,” he advised the court docket.
Martin allegedly advised her “you will not name police will you” as he left over the again fence, Kelly mentioned.
The second alleged intercourse assault occurred in July 1983, when the detective mentioned Lauder heard a smash of glass from the entrance of the home earlier than she was confronted by a person.
Kelly alleged Martin raped Lauder after which mentioned: “Do not inform the police and papers such as you did final time.”
Martin’s lawyer utilized for his shopper to be launched on bail resulting from well being points together with most cancers therapy and diabetes, doubtless delays to the case and since Martin had no felony historical past.
“There is no proof to recommend he is led something however a innocent life by way of felony convictions earlier than the court docket,” defence lawyer Harry Redwood advised the court docket.
However prosecutor Olivia Sparrow objected to Martin’s launch on bail as she mentioned there was a danger he could contact Lauder’s grandson.
He was the primary individual advised concerning the crimes and might be a key witness, she mentioned, after Lauder died in 1993.
Justice of the Peace Melinda Wallington adjourned the bail software to Thursday.
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