County Court: Fijian man Tomasi Sotia Dredre raped Middle Park woman

A self-professed Christian raped a woman who had tried to help him after he said he was lost only to claim seeing a Bible in the bedroom made him stop.

A Victorian woman was sexually assaulted inside her Middle Park home by a drunk Fijian man who only stopped when he saw the Bible. Picture: iStock

A drunk tourist sexually assaulted a woman in her 60s with a mental condition inside her home and only stopped after spotting the Bible in the bedroom.

Fijian father Tomasi Sotia Dredre pleaded guilty in the County Court on Thursday to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The 36-year-old was charged last year after he followed a woman back to her Middle Park home and claimed he was lost before forcing himself upon her.

On Saturday, July 23 the victim was on a routine coffee walk before Dredre — who had been drinking rum after helping his brother on a boat — approached and repeatedly asked to accompany her.

The married Eltham man told her his address and she considered driving him when she misheard ‘Elwood’.

Crown prosecutor Ailsa McVean said the woman went inside to consult her Melways and wrote down instructions before he entered the house and wrapped his arms around her and tried to start kissing.

She told him “No, I don’t want this, I don’t want any of this,” and tried to push him away but he was too strong.

He tripped her in the hallway where she landed on her back before he pulled off her underwear. He then dragged her into the spare bedroom.

He raped and sexually assaulted the woman and told her “If you let me f--- you, I’ll let you go”.

During the attack, Dredre noticed a Bible and asked the woman if she believed in God before he stopped and said: “Sorry, I am a Christian too”.

She said she would not contact police if he left before he helped himself to some water and ran from the house.

Following Dredre’s guilty plea, he will be sentenced later this month.

Judge Claire Quin heard the woman suffered from a mental health condition regulated by medicine.

A victim impact statement revealed the woman no longer felt safe at home or in the area where she was followed.

She suffered physical bruises and continues to suffer psychological trauma.

She felt constant anxiety, struggled to sleep, and feared someone else would harm her inside her home.

Defence barrister Michael Katz said noticing the Bible “brought an element of religion” that prompted Dredre to desist and express remorse.

During a police interview he said he felt guilty and ashamed before he got on his knees and begged for forgiveness.

Mr Katz said his client was in the final days of his 12-month Visitor Visa and intended to return to Australia for construction work where he could earn money to send home to Fiji.

He said Dredre was drinking 75 per cent proof rum on the day of the offending before an argument broke out with his brother and he left.

Dredre was the sole income earner for his wife and three children who lived in a remote Fijian village, however, his wife has had to resort to weaving rugs to sell to tourists for extra money.

The family have incurred additional costs and strain in his absence as his youngest daughter was diagnosed with a severe developmental delay and needs treatment from specialists.

Mr Katz said his client felt guilt and shame for the additional burden he has placed on his family and understands he will likely face deportation and be unable to return to Australia.

The matter was adjourned for sentencing on November 27.