Man faces court over sex attack on new mum in North Melbourne
THE man accused bashing and raping a young Melbourne mother as she walked home five years ago has appeared in court just days after the victim, named Chloe, took the courageous step of revealing her identity.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE man accused bashing and raping a young Melbourne mother as she walked home five years ago has appeared in court.
Zynal Javid Khan, 34 of Reservoir, was charged on Wednesday night after being arrested earlier in the day and less than two weeks after police offered a $500,000 reward for information.
The arrest comes just days after the victim, named Chloe, took the courageous step of revealing her identity in a bid to help police catch her attacker.
Khan did not apply for bail, remained silent throughout the brief hearing.
According to charge sheets released by the court, Khan is charged with sexual penetration without consent, serious injury and assault and stealing the victim’s handbag.
Chloe was 22 and with a seven-week-old baby at home when she was allegedly raped in a North Melbourne laneway after a night out with friends on June 30, 2013.
She was walking home from a night out with friends in the city when she was stalked for about 1km.
A man dressed in dark clothing approached her and tried to strike up a conversation on King St, following her past the Witches in Britches theatre restaurant and into North Melbourne.
As Chloe passed Browns Lane the man grabbed her in a bear hug, dragged her down the laneway and knocked her to the ground.
She was repeatedly punched, kicked and sexually assaulted.
Khan was remanded in custody to reappear in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for a formal filing hearing.
