Alleged Predator Cops More Rape Charges

Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad have laid further charges against a Williams Landing man as part of an investigation into a series of alleged sexual assaults in Hoppers Crossing last month.

Police allege the 39-year-old committed offences across three separate incidents on 23 and 24 July.

He was yesterday charged with unlawful assault, common law assault, assault with intent to commit a sexual offence, stalking, aggravated burglary, false imprisonment, unlawful assault, common law assault and two counts of rape.

Police allege the first incident occurred about 5pm on 23 July, when a man approached a woman near a secondary school on Fraser Street and attempted to sexually assault her. The woman was able to escape and was not physically injured.

The second alleged incident occurred shortly before 7am on 24 July, when a woman was outside a primary school on Langridge Street. Police allege a man followed her into the school building and sexually assaulted her.

The latest charges are in addition to those laid on 25 July, when the man was charged with two counts of rape and one count each of aggravated burglary and threat to kill.

Those earlier charges relate to an alleged incident on 23 July, when police allege a man armed with a knife forced entry into a home on Whitsunday Drive about 11.30am before sexually assaulting a woman.

The Williams Landing man was arrested in Hoppers Crossing about 11.40am on 24 July.

He remains in custody and is due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 27 November.

The charges have not been proven in court.