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Hoppers Crossing man Michael Martin charged after allegedly raping Jessie Lauder twice in her own home in 1981 and 1983

A Hoppers Crossing man has faced court for the first time after he was charged with allegedly raping an elderly woman twice in her home more than four decades ago.

A DNA breakthrough has led to the arrest of a man who roamed free for more than four decades after raping Jessie Lauder twice, two years apart, in her own home.
A DNA breakthrough has led to the arrest of a man who roamed free for more than four decades after raping Jessie Lauder twice, two years apart, in her own home.

A DNA breakthrough has led to the arrest of a man more than four decades after he allegedly raped an elderly woman twice, two years apart, in her own home.

Michael Martin, 69, from Hoppers Crossing, was arrested on Friday morning and charged over the historic rapes of Jessie Grace Lauder in the early 1980s.

Ms Lauder was 82 years old in 1981 when she was first raped inside her Newport home in Melbourne’s west, where she had lived for 55 years.

She was in bed on September 22 when a man broke into the Mason St address through the back door, armed with a knife, about 10pm.

He then confronted the elderly woman before taking her into another room in the house, where he sexually assaulted her before rummaging through her purse looking for money.

Described by family as a “stoic” woman who did not like to rely on others, Ms Lauder bravely returned to her home a short time after the attack.

Police arrested a Hoppers Crossing man on Friday morning. Picture: Supplied
Police arrested a Hoppers Crossing man on Friday morning. Picture: Supplied

But on July 6, 1983, the same man is alleged to have forced his way into her home about 9pm, this time through her front door, while she was in her lounge room.

He forced her into the kitchen to make sure no one else was in the house before sexually assaulting her in the lounge room.

The intruder – who wore gloves, work boots and a beanie – referred to the earlier attack and warned Ms Lauder not to go to police.

She died 10 years later in 1993.

The accused rapist went undetected for 44 years, despite multiple appeals for information and a $500,000 reward.

Ten days ago, police said DNA clues had helped investigators narrow their pool of potential suspects as Ms Lauder’s grandson Malcolm Lauder made a fresh appeal to the public for information.

Mr Martin has been charged with two counts of attempted aggravated rape, aggravated burglary, aggravated indecent assault, rape, burglary and common assault.

He faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday evening where it was revealed he will make a bid for bail on Tuesday.

The man has been charged with two counts of attempted aggravated rape, aggravated burglary, aggravated indecent assault, rape, burglary and common assault. Picture: Supplied
The man has been charged with two counts of attempted aggravated rape, aggravated burglary, aggravated indecent assault, rape, burglary and common assault. Picture: Supplied
Jessie Lauder and Annette Lauder, wife of her grandson, Malcolm Lauder. Picture: David Smith
Jessie Lauder and Annette Lauder, wife of her grandson, Malcolm Lauder. Picture: David Smith

His defence lawyer told magistrate Leon Fluxman his client – who was about to spend his first night in custody – was in “remission for cancer”, but was being treated for a tumour in his neck.

The court heard he takes medication to address “issues with his prostate”, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Mr Martin, sporting a grey beard and black glasses, sat quietly in the dock during the hearing.

He was remanded in custody and will return to court for his filing hearing and bail application on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Mr Lauder remembered his grandmother as a loving and independent woman.

“With all the things she went through, she never asked for anything from anybody and always looked out for other people,” he said.

He lashed his grandmother’s alleged attacker for evading police after violating her in her own home.

“She was five foot nothing and somebody has gone into the sanctuary of her own home, not once, but twice, where she should be the most protected that she should ever feel,” he said.

“I cannot express the disgust I have for this person.”

Mr Lauder remembered his grandmother as a loving and independent woman. Picture: Supplied
Mr Lauder remembered his grandmother as a loving and independent woman. Picture: Supplied

While police could not confirm exactly how they obtained the DNA evidence that led to the arrest, Detective Superintendent Mark Burnett said he hoped the major breakthrough in the case would bring some relief to Ms Lauder’s family.

“Though Jessie is sadly no longer with us, this is a momentous day for her family, and in particular, her grandson, Malcolm, who have fought incredibly long and hard for justice for almost 44 years for their beloved Jessie,” Detective Superintendent Burnett said.

“This has been a complex, protracted and at times, difficult, investigation by members of the Sexual Crime Squad – many of whom have moved to different units over the years, and their determination and perseverance is to be commended.

“It might have been almost 44 years, but Victoria Police does not give up on the hope of securing justice for victims.

“We will do everything within our power to ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions and face the full force of the law, irrespective of how much time has passed.

“If you have experienced sexual violence or abuse, even decades ago, police will listen and we will investigate.”

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/hoppers-crossing-man-arrested-after-allegedly-raping-jessie-lauder-twice-in-her-own-home-in-1981-and-1983/news-story/b4582531cf1a91d61440dcb1f8f49f77