Mullaloo Beach.
Camera IconMullaloo Beach. Credit: Supplied/Emma Reeves

Man accused of Mullaloo rape appears in Joondalup court

Justin BianchiniJoondalup Times

AN Eglinton man, whose police sergeant mother was in Joondalup court to support him this afternoon, has been refused bail in relation to the “violent random” sexual assault of a woman near Mullaloo beach on Christmas Eve.

Magistrate Sandra De Maio took into account the risk of re-offending and the strong prosecution case, which includes a DNA match, when rejecting bail for 28-year-old Djron Michael Hansen, who is charged with sexual penetration without consent.

The court heard horrific details of the December 24 attack on a beach path in which it is alleged a naked Mr Hansen came up on the 46-year-old woman from behind and covered her eyes and face with material while pulling her to the ground.

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Police prosecutors say she screamed and shouted “no” before material was forced into her mouth and she was digitally penetrated.

He has then allegedly rubbed himself “forcibly back and forth on her” before she bit him on the hand and wrist.

It was when he ran off that the victim noticed her attacker was fully naked.

Police took voluntary DNA from Mr Hansen when they interviewed him over a separate sexual assault a couple of weeks ago.

He was not charged with any offence but police arrested him last night when they claim his DNA matched that taken from the Mullaloo victim’s clothing.

His lawyer said he had a stable family life and was the sole bread winner as a skip bin driver, and that his mother, a sergeant at a police station, had moved into his house to support him and his partner and his 22-month-old child and eight-year-old stepdaughter. The accused had no criminal record and there would be “considerable hardship to the family if he remains in custody”.

In continuing to argue for bail, Mr Hansen’s lawyer said it would give comfort to the court and the community knowing a “police officer was living on site with the accused”.

He said he had not wished to make public that Mr Hansen’s mother was a policewoman.

“She’s had nothing to do with the investigation,” he said.

The lawyer also raised the fact that Mr Hansen was a “young indigenous man” and that the “community tries to ensure less indigenous people as possible fall into custody”.

But Magistrate De Maio said “identity here is largely not the issue, it’s the DNA hit – strong evidence against him”.

She labelled the attack “clearly a serious offence”, was concerned about the early hour and other facts of the case and that Mr Hansen’s nakedness indicated his alleged targeting of the woman.

“She might not have identified you but DNA (allegedly) has,” Ms De Maio said.

The police prosecution said the assault was “violent, random and unpredictable” and that if convicted, Mr Hansen would likely face jail.

In opposing bail, the prosecutor said the “safety of the community needs to be considered”.

Mr Hansen was not required to plea but was asked by the magistrate if he understood the charge against him. “Yes, I understand,” he said.

He was remanded in custody to appear in Perth Magistrates Court next month.