Abdul Zreika, 63, sentenced for raping woman at Guildford

A frail 63-year-old man found guilty of raping a woman after placing an ad on Gumtree was ‘invasive and grose’ despite his ailing health. Find out how long he will spend behind bars.

Abdul Zreika was sentenced at Parramatta District Court.

A weak 63-year-old man found guilty of raping a woman after placing an ad on Gumtree to be his carer has been jailed after he attacked her for his own sexual gratification, a court has heard.

Abdul Zreika was sentenced at Paramatta District Court on Friday, three months after a jury found him guilty on two counts of sexual intercourse without consent over the “disgraceful” incidents at Guildford in April last year.

Supported by his walking stick, the partially deaf and blind man found out through an Arabic interpreter that he would spend six years in jail.

The court heard how Zreika has severe neck and lower back pain, a low IQ and an injured right shoulder, and how he would not cope in full time custody.

However, Judge Christopher Hoy was confident he could receive appropriate treatment in prison.

The court heard how during an awkward encounter, Zreika asked his new employee on the first day they met if she would like to have sex, but she did not consent.

After she had a shower, she went to bed and he followed her there in a private home. She discovered there was only one bed in the home and later that day Zreika started kissing and stroking the breasts, neck and lips of the victim who was pushing him off her.

He pulled her underwear down and she started to pull it up but he forced himself on her when she was in a “vulnerable’’ position in her life.

When she woke up the next morning, she was numb with fear as he nuzzled behind her and assaulted her again.

He was arrested in June last year when he told police he could not remember the victim — denials that Judge Hoy said “were demonstrative of guilt”.

Abdul Zreika went to prison after fronting Parramatta District Court on Friday.

Judge Hoy said the victim was “entrapped overnight” in the premises where he took advantage of being in a position of power.

He read parts of the victim’s impact statement that expressed how the assault left her anxious and like she was “going backwards” in life.

“She quite properly described herself as a victim/survivor,’’ Judge Hoy said.

“I agree. She has moved forward after a grose and invasive assault.

“The offences of this nature are disgraceful.’’

Judge Hoy said despite his disabilities, the offender was reckless and pursued the victim for gratification.

“He took advantage of the situation without decency and respect,’' he said.

“I’m not satisfied he has good prospects of rehabilitation.

“I’m not satisfied he wasn’t fully aware of his actions.’’

Zreika’s criminal record was made up of two fraud charges from 2005 when he received good behaviour bonds.

His six-year jail sentence for the sexual assaults comprised a non-parole period of three years and six months.

While in custody, he must undertake multiple counselling and mental and physical health treatment programs with NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network for conditions including depression, PTSD and possible schizophrenia.

He must also complete a sex offender’s program.