Park killer admits to UK attack

THE man who viciously killed a Mackay woman 16 years ago in Queens Park has pleaded guilty to attacking and attempting to rape a 71-year-old London pensioner in May

THE man who viciously killed a Mackay woman 16 years ago in Queens Park has pleaded guilty to attacking and attempting to rape a 71-year-old London pensioner in May.

Simon Wilson spent 16 years in prison for the Mackay murder and when he was released in January this year he was deported to Britain, his country of birth.

A British newspaper reported that Wilson slashed the London pensioner across the face and body as he tried to rape her.

The woman was in hospital for five days so badly injured from the attack that she could still lose the use of one of her arms.

In May, when news of the most recent crime was revealed, Detective Senior Sergeant Dennis Hansen (now retired) described Wilson as an "uncontrollable freak".

Wilson's Mackay victim was Joan Elizabeth Randell, 55, who was bashed to death on July 12, 1992.

He had a previous conviction for armed robbery and two for rape, including the beating and rape of a 67-year-old woman on her way home from bingo in Victoria.

"He bashed and almost killed an elderly woman in Victoria before coming to Mackay to commit murder," Det Sen Sgt Hansen said.

"He was never supposed to be on parole."

Wilson was arrested, charged and jailed for life within 13 days of the murder, an Australian record for a murder investigation at the time.

Mr Hansen was the officer who oversaw the Queen's Park murder investigation, a crime that shocked Mackay.

Wilson pleaded guilty to the attack in Blackfriars Crown Court last week.

He was charged with rape, grievous bodily harm with intent and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

He will reappear in the court on October 10 for a presentencing hearing.

Originally published as Park killer admits to UK attack