Hayden Carl Skinner, 29, charged with raping woman in her 70s at Coffs Harbour aged care facility

A man accused of raping an elderly woman at a Coffs aged care facility on New Year’s Day needs more time to prepare due to an intellectual disability, a court heard. Here’s what we know.

A man accused of raping an elderly woman at a Coffs Harbour aged care facility on New Year’s Day needs more time to prepare due to an intellectual disability, a court heard.

Hayden Carl Skinner’s defence lawyer Jessica Meech told Coffs Harbour District Court on Monday her client “suffers from an intellectual disability”, but was still fit to stand trial – a “likely” outcome.

“He’s difficult to converse with about the consequences of the process,” she said.

Ms Meech asked for an extra four weeks from Magistrate Julia Virgo, who agreed so “Skinner can be provided as much assistance to understand this process” as possible.

Accused Hayden Skinner. Picture: Facebook

Police allege the 29-year-old broke into a residential aged care centre and entered the room of the victim aged in her 70s through a courtyard, with a stocking covering his face, about 2.30am.

It’s alleged Skinner pinned the woman to the bed, placed his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming, removed her underwear and sexually assaulted her.

Police allege Skinner fled the room and went out a door through the courtyard, where another resident having a cigarette spotted him before he took off over some fences.

Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, commander of the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, said previously the facility resident did not know her attacker.

The moment Hayden Carl Skinner was arrested on January 5. Picture: NSW Police

“An attack on a person in the safety of their home in their own bed is horrendous anyway, but to (allegedly) break into a nursing home – you are only going to find vulnerable people living there so it beggars belief that someone would do this,” he said.

Skinner was arrested at Coffs Harbour about 2.30pm on January 5. He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with aggravated sexual assault and break and enter with intent.

He did not apply for bail, but it was formally refused. No pleas have been entered and Skinner remains in custody on remand.

The case has been adjourned to November 26, when Skinner is due to attend over videolink.

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Originally published as Hayden Carl Skinner, 29, charged with raping woman in her 70s at Coffs Harbour aged care facility