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.
Key points:
- Dean Osborne has been charged with three counts of rape after allegedly attacking the jogger early on Friday morning
- Police say DNA evidence and CCTV appears to link him to the offense
- Mr Osborne was denied bail due to the seriousness of the allegations
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.
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.
Police also said when Mr Osborne was arrested late on Saturday evening, they believed he had shaved his facial hair so he could not be identified by the description officers had released to the public on Friday.
The court also heard Mr Osborne had two prior convictions, including indecent acts in a public place stemming from an incident in Perth in July 2019.
Despite his lawyer offering a potential $20,000 surety and protective bail conditions that would see him return to Perth via plane, Magistrate Maughan denied his application and remanded him in custody.
Broome detectives were in court to witness the decision. The investigation continues.
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