Melbourne Magistrates’ Court: Garry Cook: Accused hitchhiker rapist’s matter mentioned in court

A man accused of attacking girls near the Dandenongs more than 20 years ago is set to return to court again.

71-year-old Garry Cook allegedly lured teenage girls into his car and sexually assaulted them at gunpoint Picture: Ch9news

Accused hitchhiker rapist Garry Cook, who allegedly lured teenage girls into his car and sexually assaulted them at gunpoint more than 20 years ago, will return to court again in October.

Mr Cook, 71, was arrested in June 2022 in a major breakthrough for cold case investigators probing the series of alleged attacks on young girls near Belgrave, east of Melbourne, more than 20 years ago.

Mr Cook was excused from appearing at a special mention hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where Magistrate Stephen Ballek said a contested committal hearing had been set down for the case to return to court on October 18 and 19.

Mr Cook was granted bail in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last August, despite fierce opposition from police.