Bail fail: Police Minister “furious” after an alleged rapist was given bail

A man who was the subject of a citizen’s arrest after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the street on Saturday has been bailed, leaving the Police Minister “furious.”

A “furious” Police Minister has called for an urgent review into a decision to grant bail to a man who allegedly had to be pulled off a woman as he raped her in the middle of a suburban street in Sydney.

David Elliott last night told The Daily Telegraph the decision to allow alleged rapist Jason Williams to walk free on bail was a “slap in the face for victims of crime and women” and said he would take “the matter up with the Attorney-General (Mark Speakman).”

Labor’s police spokesman Walt Secord was equally irate, saying the decision was proof NSW’s bail laws were “broken”.

Police will allege in court that Williams, 35, had to be dragged off his 56-year-old victim by passers-by after he attacked her as she walked home from Panania Diggers in Revesby, in Sydney’s southwest, about 12.15am on Sunday.

A man arrested over an alleged rape in Revesby at the weekend has been granted bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire Christian Gilles

Police allege Williams shoved the woman to the ground and then attacked her, before her screams alerted passers-by who bravely ran to help, before giving chase and performing a citizen’s arrest.

Williams was granted bail in court on Monday with basic conditions that include abstaining from alcohol and drugs, not approaching his alleged victim and reporting to police daily. He must also remain at his home between 10pm and 6am.

Police allege the woman was walking along Marco Ave when she was shoved to the ground by Williams, hitting her head in the process. He then allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted the woman.

“The woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Liverpool Hospital,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Williams was remanded in custody until his court appearance at Bankstown Local Court on Monday where he was granted bail.

Mr Secord said he was “white with rage” over the bail decision while police sources said prosecutors were furious.

“This latest example of our state’s failed bail laws is stomach churning,” Mr Secord said.

“Bail should not be granted to people charged with commercial drug trafficking, firearm or serious sexual offences. Full stop and no excuses.”

Attorney-General Mark Speakman said he had requested a transcript of the proceedings and would look at whether it should be added to the list of bail decisions already being reviewed by the Bail Act Monitoring Group.

Williams will not be required to reappear in court until January 18, 2022.