DNA Evidence Sought In Alleged Hunter Rape Case

BY IAN CROUCH

Detectives investigating the alleged sexual assault of a North Lambton woman last week have applied to have DNA collected from the man accused of the crime.

Fairfax reports police took the step after 20-year-old Jonah Somasundram did not consent to providing a swab following his arrest on Friday.

They were also concerned the accused could "destroy" forensic evidence.

Whether the DNA procedure will be admitted as evidence depends on the outcome of a hearing later this month.

Somasundram failed in his bid for bail on Saturday and did not appear in court yesterday (Monday 2 August, 2021). The case has been adjourned until September 30.

Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen Denies Raping Sex Worker

 BY IAN CROUCH

Upper Hunter MP, Michael Johnsen has denied raping a sex worker in the Blue Mountains after the allegation was raised in state parliament overnight.

Labor MP, Trish Doyle used parliamentary privilege to reveal a sex worker told her she gave consent for a specific sex act before being raped in September 2019.

Ms Doyle didn't name the accused, but Michael Johnsen has released a statement saying he has voluntarily spoken with police and is confident an investigation will find he is innocent.

Mr Johnsen has stepped aside from his Parliamentary Secretary role and will not sit in the Nationals Party Room nor the Joint Party Room.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she was absolutely shocked over the allegations. 

She says her focus is on ensuring justice is served. 

"All of use want to make sure that justice is served well and properly. I'm grateful the police are investigating the matter and all of us want to get to the bottom of it." 

Upper MP Michael Johnsen has denied raping a sex worker

Detailed Description Emerges of 11-year-old Girl's Attacker: Adamstown Heights Sexual Assault

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police have addressed the media about a heinous sexual assault and kidnapping carried out on an 11-year-old girl at Adamstown Heights yesterday morning.

Detectives are praising the brave victim, originally thought to be aged 12, who was left at Kotara Railway Station and walked over a kilometre to make it home after the 5-hour ordeal.

She was approached on her way to school in Hudson Park near Belair Public School around 9:15; attacked from behind, threatened at knifepoint and raped, before being dragged into a red car and assaulted again.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Jacob from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad says police are working closely with the victim and her family, as police look for a man matching this description:

"...Chubby with dark, short, messy hair," Inspector Jacob said, "he has wrinkles on his forehead and around his mouth, he's got brown staining on his teeth and chubby hands."

"[The attacker] was last seen driving a red car, possibly a Holden Commodore sedan, around the area," he said.

The man was wearing a grey and black hooded jumper with a blue print on the front at waist level.

Police are combing through nearby CCTV footage and are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of the car in transit to come forward, while specialised officers are canvassing a number of areas in the Adamstown Heights and Kotara suburb.

Inspector Jacob was unable to confirm whether the girl's school sent a text-message alert to her parents when she failed to arrive for roll call, as is protocol at many Hunter schools, however, said local Principals are being consulted on the best way address stranger danger in the wake of this crime.

We're being assured the 11-year-old is coping very well and is being helped to sift through the trauma.

"She's doing remarkably well, she's an incredibly brave young lady who's intensely assisted the police into the late evening," Paul Jacob said.

"She's now with her parents and is being strongly supported...Police, through the John Hunter Hospital, are supporting her with counselling," the Inspector confirmed.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Detectives establish a crime scene at Hudson Park, Adamstown Heights on Tuesday night 12/06/18. Image: The Herald.