Central Coast: Man, 35, who allegedly raped elderly woman has charges upgraded to murder

After months of waiting for the results of “microbiology testing”, police have upgraded the charges against a man accused of breaking into a nursing home and raping an elderly woman.

A Caves Beach man, 35, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has had his charges of allegedly sexually assaulting an elderly woman at a nursing home on the Central Coast upgraded to murder after she died two weeks later. Picture: supplied

A man who allegedly sexually assaulted an elderly woman at an aged care facility on the Central Coast last year has had his charges upgraded to murder.

It comes after a court previously heard police were awaiting the results of specialist “microbiology testing” — in addition to a standard autopsy — to determine an exact cause of death.

Charge sheets allege a man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke into a nursing home at Bateau Bay about 12.40am on Wednesday, November 15 last year and allegedly sexually assaulted a woman, aged in her 90s.

Detectives attached to State Crime Commands Sex Crimes Squad formed Strike Force Easterbrook and two days later arrested a then 34-year-old man at his Caves Beach address.

He was charged with aggravated breaking and entering, assault, sexual assault and having sexual intercourse without consent with police alleging he used the victim’s bedding to silence her cries for help.

The man appeared at Gosford Local Court on Friday where his charges were upgraded. Picture: David Swift

However two weeks later the woman died in hospital, which police now — after receiving the results of further testing — allege was as a result of the injuries she sustained in the attack.

As a consequence, the man’s charges were upgraded to include murder and manslaughter when he appeared via video link at Gosford Local Court on Friday, December 13.

He was refused bail to appear again on February 21.