Two people have been charged over a disgusting act of violence, which saw an intellectually disabled woman endure hours of assault.
At around 11.30 on Wednesday night, a 20-year-old woman, who has an intellectual disability, was travelling as a passenger in a car on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown when it stopped at a red light near Ferris Street.
A Hyundai Elantra sedan pulled up alongside and the occupants of the vehicle – who are known to the woman – allegedly grabbed her and forced her into their car before driving off.
She was then allegedly repeatedly assaulted and had her credit cards stolen.
The car then continued on its journey to George Booth Drive at West Wallsend, before it stopped and one of the passengers, a 38-year-old woman, allegedly dragged the woman out of the car and continued to assault her on the street.
She was then forced back into the car before being driven to a home in Windale.
There, it’s alleged she was forced into the shower and repeatedly assaulted while being filmed.
Lake Macquarie Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Steve Benson said police were notified of the incident by concerned members of the community when the footage was posted on social media.
“Filming it certainly adds another dimension, and police have seized that footage and it will form part of the evidence,” Det Insp. Benson said.
“We have what we believe was the device used to record it.”
Investigators attended the home at Windale, where NSW Ambulance paramedics were treating the victim.
She was then taken to Belmont Hospital in a stable condition.
“Any member of the public who has been involved in something like this is clearly traumatised, in particular those members who are considered vulnerable,” he said.
“I believe she is talking to investigators, but it was a very concerning incident.”
Following extensive inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Box Place, Gateshead, at 7.30am yesterday morning.
Several items relevant to the investigation, including a Hyundai Elantra sedan, were seized to undergo forensic examination.
A short time later, a 37-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman were arrested at the property and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with nine offences, including:
- robbery in company,
- take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage,
- two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
- two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm,
- film person in private act without consent, and
- two counts of contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO.
The woman was charged with seven offences, including:
- robbery in company,
- take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage,
- two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
- two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm, and
- film person in private act without consent.
“Relationships with vulnerable members of the community, they’re something we really strive for and, in relation to protecting those members, abuse or violence against vulnerable members of the community won’t be tolerated,” Det Insp. Benson said.
Members of the public who may have witnessed anything are urged to come forward.
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