Gold Coast man Wayne Clifford Howlett pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting at intellectually disabled woman after taking her into bushes

A GOLD Coast man has pleaded guilty to luring an intellectually disabled woman into bushes at a popular park and sexually assaulted her. And it wasn’t his first offence.

Wayne Clifford Howlett tried to disguise himself as he left court.

A GOLD Coast man who lured an intellectually disabled woman into bushes at a popular park and sexually assaulted her has been granted bail at least until next week.

Wayne Clifford Howlett, 74, pleaded guilty to indecent dealing with a person with an impairment of the mind and to sexual assault when he appeared in the Southport District Court today.

But in allowing Howlett bail, Judge Katherine McGinness said until she had read psychological reports, which had only just been handed to the court, she was considering “actual custody’’ rather than a suspended sentence.

Wayne Clifford Howlett walks from court.

The court was told Howlett approached a woman, who was aged in her 20s and had the intellectual function of a three or four-year-old, in June 2016 and asked her if she wanted to have sex while she was on her morning walk to a park and cafe.

The woman said she did not want sex but that did not stop Howlett, who took her to some bushes, undressed her and sexually assaulted her by touching her.

In a victim impact statement to the court, the woman’s mother told how before the assault, she, her daughter and support workers had worked long and hard to build up her confidence, trust and safety strategies so that “she could have enough independence to enjoy a level of freedom by herself out in the community’’.

The mother said her daughter was now withdrawn and when a stranger approached while they were out, “she cowers behind me’’.

Crown prosecutor Kathleen Christopherson said Howlett had a history of lewd behaviour dating back to Tasmania in the 1980s and 90s when he was convicted of “peeping” and indecent exposure.

Ms Christopherson tendered psychological reports to the court that noted Howlett had an “above average risk of reoffending”.

“It’s clear specific deterrents are needed in this case. General deterrents are also needed to send a message to those who offend against the most vulnerable in our community in this kind of way that it will be dealt with seriously by the courts,” Ms Christopherson said.

She submitted he should receive a 12-month prison sentence, adding that previous cases suggested the sentence should be wholly suspended.

Defence barrister David Funch, instructed by Buckland Allen Criminal Lawyers, tendered letters to the court that included one from Howlett’s wife, which said she could not attend court because she was too ashamed of his actions.

Mr Funch said Howlett was clearly “able to get on top his problems” because his previous offence was in 1992.

Wayne Clifford Howlett.

He said Howlett had not offended since the incident in June 2016.

Judge Katherine McGinness said it was concerning Howlett did not listen to the woman when she refused.

“It’s still concerning to me that she still said no. Not only was she incapable of consent, but she also said no,” Judge McGinness said.

Mr Funch said Howlett could not hear the woman say no because he was not wearing his hearing aid.

He said Howlett, a Vietnam veteran, was visiting a psychologist to deal with his “issues”.

Mr Funch also submitted Howlett be given a 12-month suspended sentence.

Judge McGinness said she needed more time to look at psychological reports, which were only given to her just before the hearing.

She said she was considering sentencing Howlett to time behind bars.

“I’m going to have to look at the material because in my view, actual custody is something I am considering,” Judge McGinness said.

“This is what I’m considering at the moment. I still haven’t had the opportunity to read the reports properly.”

Judge McGinness granted Howlett bail and adjourned the matter to a date to be set for next week.

Following his appearance, Howlett changed out of the clothes he had worn to court into other clothes he had taken with him in a plastic bag. He used these in an attempt to avoid being recognised outside.

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston told the Bulletin outside court that the community needed to be protected.

“He’s clearly a danger to vulnerable people,” Ms Johnston said.

“We can’t keep sacrificing our women and children to these depraved individuals.

“They’re not stealing your car or your property, they’re actually stealing somebody’s power, their self-esteem, their respect for themselves, their soul.

“You can’t go to the shop to buy another soul. These matters have to be dealt with properly by the system.”