Chad Haskell jailed for raping woman at New Years party

A young rapist covered his victim’s mouth as he sexually assaulted her at a house party before going back to his girlfriend, a court heard.

A teenage rapist covered his victim’s mouth as he assaulted her before going back to his girlfriend, a court heard.

Chad Riley Haskell, now 20, was jailed after his lie to police was contradicted by DNA evidence linking him to the crime.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Haskell and the victim were at a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 2022.

The court heard the victim consumed a significant amount of alcohol and smoked some cannabis and passed out in a bed.

The victim was awoken by Haskell raping her.

Chad Haskell was jailed for raping a woman at a party. Photo: File

“She said that she tried to speak but was still drowsy from sleep,” Judge Anthony Allen said.

“You put your hand over her mouth to prevent her from saying anything.”

Haskell ejaculated and then walked into the other room where his girlfriend was sleeping.

Haskell, who was linked to the crime by his DNA, was arrested a few months later.

“You said that the victim approached you and accused you of raping her,” Judge Allen said.

“You denied having sex with her and entering the room where she was sleeping. Of course this was a lie.”

The Kangarilla man pleaded guilty to rape.

In her victim impact statement the victim said she now has anxiety and struggles with day to day functioning.

“You made a young woman feel unsafe in her family home and have tainted for her and her family what is typically and should be a celebratory time of year,” Judge Allen said.

The court heard Haskell, who was intoxicated during the offending, wished to participate in drug and alcohol counselling upon his release.

“You entered the victim’s bed when she was grossly intoxicated, sleeping and vulnerable, and when she woke up and tried to speak, you covered her mouth, removing her ability to seek help,” Judge Allen said.

He sentenced Haskell to three years and seven months jail, with a non-parole period of two years.

The sentence was backdated to October 16, 2023.

Originally published as Chad Haskell jailed for raping woman at New Years party