broome crime – Michmutters

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Australia

Perth man denied bail over alleged Broome jogger rape as police say he shaved beard to alter appearance

A masked police officer with his arms folded, police tape across a footpath

A Perth man has been denied bail after it was revealed he allegedly shaved his beard to avoid identification over a sexual assault on a jogger in Broome last week.

Dean Osborne, 52, appeared in the Broome Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with three counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, over the incident in Broome’s north on Friday morning.

Police allege Mr Osborne, an electrician on a contract working in the tourist town, was walking in the opposite direction to a woman who was out on a run around 5am.

The court heard as he passed her, he allegedly pushed her into bushes and sexually assaulted her.

Two officers speak to residents outside a house in Broome
Several residents nearby heard the woman screaming.(ABC Kimberley: Jessica Hayes)

Several members of the public heard the screams as well as neighbors in surrounding houses, but despite attempts to stop the accused he left the scene on foot.

In determining bail, Magistrate Andrew Maughan asked the prosecution to determine the strength of the police case against Osborne.

Police said they had found DNA on the victim in “multiple locations”, including Mr Osborne’s possessions at the scene.

They said his legs and arms appeared to be covered in scratches from the alleged victim, and he was caught on CCTV going from the scene back to his accommodation.

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Australia

Manhunt in Broome as police investigate sexual assault on jogger

A uniformed officer with police tape stretched across a path with bushes.

Detectives say members of the public intervened and attempted to detain the perpetrator of a violent sexual assault in WA’s north this morning.

The woman was jogging in Broome just after 5am on Friday when she was attacked by an as-yet unidentified man.

Police cordoned off the scene, a popular cycling and pedestrian track in Broome’s northern suburbs, shortly after the incident.

They spent the day canvassing houses and searching for the man.

Broome police officer Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Beck said the woman fought off the attacker, attracting the attention of nearby residents and members of the public.

“A few members of the public managed to locate the suspect, they’ve confronted him and they’ve tried to detain him, but he has managed to evade them,” he said.

“There wasn’t a physical confrontation, it was more verbal… we believe the suspect has threatened the bystanders or the people who were assisting.

“We’re working through our actions in order to try and identify whether this was a targeted approach, or something else.”

man in front of police station
Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Beck says the random nature of this morning’s attack is deeply concerning. (ABC Kimberley: Hinako Shiraishi)

The path is protected by dense bushland and isn’t visible from the main road, which runs parallel to it.

The man was walking in the opposite direction to the woman when police say he attacked and sexually assaulted her.

A police car parked outside a home on Friday morning.
Officers have been canvassing nearby streets and houses looking for any clues.(ABC Kimberley: Jessica Hayes)

The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and St John Ambulance was called to take her to Broome Hospital.

“She has good family support; we’re supporting her very closely and our efforts are quite intense in terms of locating this suspect,” Senior Detective Sergeant Beck said.

The man is described as between 40 and 50 years old, 170-175cm in height with a medium to stocky build.

He has short sandy-colored hair and facial hair.

Two officers speak to residents outside a house in Broome.
Police speak to residents as they continue their investigations.(ABC Kimberley: Jessica Hayes)

The forensic team is also at the scene, and detectives from the Sex Assault Squad have been flown to Broome to help.

Senior Detective Sergeant Beck said police would deploy extra resources from Perth to assist with the investigation and search for the offender.

“Members of the public are obviously asked to be vigilant and mindful of their surroundings,” he said.

“Obviously there’s a person out there that we’re still trying to locate.”

The path where the woman was allegedly attacked is a popular bike and pedestrian walkway that cuts through the north of town and stretches south towards Broome port.

Anyone with information or who has CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone vision of the area between 4.30am and 6am on Friday has been asked to call Crime Stoppers or report the information online.

Police say there is no indication of a link between this morning’s incident and a sexual assault at a party on Cable Beach in May, which detectives are still investigating.

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