An elderly man accused of sexually assaulting an 87-year-old woman with dementia at an aged care home has been released on bail.
William John Newbold, 80, was arrested at his home in Asquith, in Sydney’s northwest, on Friday shortly after police were called to a nearby aged care facility to reports a woman, 87, had been sexually assaulted.
NSW Police allege Newbold sexually assaulted the woman, who couldn’t give consent because she’s cognitively impaired, at the Galston facility on January 8 and 11.
He was known to visit the facility and had ‘entered the woman’s room on two occasions before allegedly sexually assaulting her’.
Newbold was taken to Hornsby Police Station and charged with a string of offences including aggravated sex assault – victim with cognitive impairment.
William John Newbold, 80, (pictured) has been released on bail after allegedly sexually an 87-year-old woman at an aged care home in Sydney’s northwest on Friday
Aggravated – sexually touch another person and fail to comply with direction storage of firearm were also among the charges.
The woman was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where she was found to not have suffered ‘serious physical injuries’.
Newbold was initially refused bail before his appearance via video link in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
He did not enter a plea during his appearance and was granted bail unopposed by prosecutors.
Prosecutors argued bail must be met with conditions that mitigate risks such as failing to appear at court, interfering with witnesses, or endangering the alleged victim’s safety, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Newbold’s Legal Aid lawyer told the court that there are ‘concerns’ about his client’s deteriorating cognitive health.
He was granted bail and ordered not to be within 500m of the aged care home and to report to police weekly.
Newbold is expected to next appear before the Hornsby Local Court on March 14.
Police allege that Newbold had twice entered the woman’s room before sexually assaulting her, however she did not sustain any ‘serious physical injuries’ (stock image)
