Man pleads guilty to Casino aggravated break and enter, rape after 2009 event

A Casino mum waited 11 years, five months and 24 days to tell the truth about the terrifying night she was raped in her own home. She told her story in heartbreaking detail while looking her rapist in the eye.

Blake has pleaded guilty to aggravated break and enter, and sexual intercourse without consent, relating to events that occurred on December 30, 2009. Source: iStock / Getty Images

A Casino woman has bravely looked her rapist in the eye as she told a Lismore court of the morning that changed her life forever, following a 2009 break and enter.

The mother-of-four, who cannot be named, made the powerful choice to read out her victim impact statement in person before Daniel James Blake in Lismore District Court on Friday, June 25.

The man is charged with aggravated break and enter, and sexual intercourse without consent, relating to events that occurred on December 30, 2009.

He has pleaded guilty to both charges and on Friday also entered a plea of guilty to remaining in a building with the intent to commit an indictable offence.

Reading from her statement, the woman said she had been home alone the night Blake attacked her, as her youngest daughter visited her siblings for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

About 4.30am that morning, the woman woke to hands down her pants and an unknown man standing over her, now known to be Blake.

While the woman begged Blake to stop and not to hurt her, he did not listen, instead raping her.

In heartbreaking detail, the woman revealed how her life had been changed forever following the attack.

“After, I could not hold down a job, it took away everything that was good about me,” she said.

“He took away my love for my job, my dignity, my trust.

“Worst of all, he took away the special bond I have with my four daughters.

“My daughters lost their mum that day.”

She also said she had been forced to leave the home she loved due to memories associated with the attack.

As she closed on her statement, she said she had waited a cruel “11 years, five months and 24 days” to tell her truth, thanking the police detective, friends and family that helped her through.

“It is not for myself but so that all grandmothers, mothers and daughters have justice and that we will be safe from this man,” she said.

But what was due to be a sentencing for Blake, instead was a further delay as his barrister Rachael Thomas sought out more material.

Given that, Judge Jeffrey McLennan set a mention in eight weeks’ time, warning both parties of another setback.

“I don’t want to set a sentence date now, only to find out it has to be adjourned again,” he said.

“After what is 11 years, five months and 25 days, (the victim) has the right to have this dealt with as expeditiously as possible.”

Blake will be mentioned again on August 23.