Teen charged over alleged aggravated break-ins and sexual offences in Merrylands

A teenager has been charged with multiple offences, including aggravated sexual assault on an elderly woman and armed robbery, following a series of alleged break-ins in Merrylands. Watch his arrest.

Disturbing details have emerged of alleged sexual attacks on elderly women, including rape and sexual touching, by a teenager during a string of break-ins in Sydney’s west.

Emmanuel Benjament, 18, of Merrylands, allegedly sexually assaulted two women, aged in their 80s, at knifepoint in their homes early on March 6.

Police allege Benjament, who faced 16 charges in Manly Local Court on Tuesday, also forced one of the women to touch his penis.

He also allegedly masturbated and ejaculated in front of the woman.

Police alleged in court documents that he broke into the woman’s home while armed with a silver kitchen knife with a 30cm blade.

They will also allege that Benjament entered the home of the second woman, and allegedly twice touched her buttocks.

A third complainant was allegedly assaulted in her house while Benjament was armed with the knife.

It will also be alleged he broke into a total of seven homes at Merrylands on March 6.

All the alleged offences occurred between 2am and 6.20am on Thursday, in homes on Elsinore St, Grace Cres, Davies St and Norma Place.

Detectives investigating a series of aggravated break and enter offences at Merrylands released this image. Picture: NSW Police

Detectives investigating a series of aggravated break and enter offences at Merrylands during the early hours of Thursday released these images of a man they wanted to speak with. Picture: NSW Police

Last week detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad launched an investigation under Strike Force Beigy. They released images of a man they wanted to question after the string of alleged break and enters where he was holding what appeared to be a knife, covering his face.

After a public appeal and extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a Merrylands home on Monday, seizing items linked to the investigation.

Later on Monday, shortly before 6pm, Benjament was arrested after presenting himself at Dee Why Police Station.

The charges against Benjament include one count of aggravated sexual assault. Police allege he had sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent after breaking into her home with the intention of committing an indictable offence.

He is also facing one count each of initiating another to sexually touch them without consent and carry out sexual act with another person without their consent.

Benjament is also facing two counts of sexually touch another person without consent.

Other charges include larceny, for allegedly stealing $70 house in cash and a jar of Jerusalem Holy Oils; three counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling to commit serious indictable offence; two counts of enter dwelling with intent; two counts of break and enter a dwelling house to commit serious indictable offence and; one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was also charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon for stealing $600 cash from a house.

Benjament, who declined to appear in court, is yet to enter any pleas and did not apply for bail.

Magistrate Daniel Reiss adjourned all the matters to Parramatta Local Court on May 1, for brief service management.

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