Woman begged bystanders for help before sexual assault, police say

A TERRIFIED woman pleaded for help from fellow tram passengers but was ignored just minutes before she was allegedly raped by a man free on bail, a court has heard.

The woman got off the tram at St Vincents Plaza tram stop after her plea for help was ignored.

A WOMAN allegedly raped by a man who had been freed by police on bail just a day earlier mouthed the word “help” to another passenger on her tram, but was ignored.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard the terrified victim pleaded for help from a man who was sitting across from her on a tram, as the heavily intoxicated Jamie Evan MacArthur allegedly mauled her.

Mr MacArthur, 49, of Kensington, is accused of brutally raping the 22-year old woman after she jumped off the city tram near St Vincent’s Hospital on Victoria Parade when her plea for help was ignored.

“You’re not leaving me,” he said.

The court heard Mr MacArthur had been free because police released him on bail a night before the attack.

He had been arrested for failing to turn-up at court on March 6, and arrested again that night for being drunk, but was released yet again.

Magistrate Tim Bourke heard police suspected Mr MacArthur was responsible for an assault in the city the night he was arrested, but cut him loose anyway.

“It’s most unsatisfactory he’s been bailed by police given their knowledge,” Mr Bourke said.

In applying for bail, Mr MacArthur claimed he was not a violent person by nature.

“I misread the signals,” he said.

The court heard Mr MacArthur had invited his victim, who was visiting Melbourne from interstate, for a drink in the early hours of Thursday while she waited for a tram.

“You’re pretty,” he allegedly said.

Frightened, the woman humoured him and he placed his arm around her.

The pair boarded a tram, but things went from bad to worse when they got off near the hospital, the court heard.

Police allege Mr MacArthur dragged the woman away from the sliding doors of the hospital where she had frantically tried to get inside.

He kissed her on the mouth before raping her, the court heard.

When she tried to escape he placed her in a headlock then repeatedly raped her.

CCTV at the hospital captured the sickening attack and the woman’s desperate attempts to escape.

The court was told her ordeal only came to an end when hospital security intervened, but even then Mr MacArthur refused to go.

“Don’t leave me,” he shouted.

He was arrested that night in the city and remanded in custody.

Det Sen-Constable John Robertson said Mr MacArthur said he had been with the victim.

“He said he couldn’t believe she’d fallen from the sky into his arms,” he said.

Mr MacArthur has been charged with four counts of rape and related assault charges.

He was refused bail and will return to court on June 9.

Anyone with information is urged to contact www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Originally published as Woman begged bystanders for help before sexual assault, police say