Timothy Braslin: Hobart teen jailed for raping young woman

An “arrogant and cruel” Tasmanian teen used “force to overpower” a woman, then threatened he would return to her house with a .22 rifle. WARNING – DISTRESSING DETAILS.

Hobart rapist Timothy Dean Braslin, 19. Picture: Facebook

An “arrogant and cruel” Tasmanian teen used “force to overpower” a woman and rape her twice, then threatened he would return to her house with a .22 rifle.

Brighton man Timothy Dean Braslin, 19, was found guilty by a jury in Hobart Supreme Court of two counts of rape.

On December 16, Justice Michael Brett sentenced Braslin to four years’ imprisonment. He will be eligible for parole after serving half.

The sentence was backdated to March 27, although he has been in full-time custody since October 28, 2021, eight days after he raped the woman.

Justice Brett, in his comments upon passing sentence, said Breslin’s “actions were arrogant and cruel, and completely selfish”.

“You did not treat her as a person, but simply used her to gratify your own sexual desires,” Justice Brett said.

“These crimes are extremely serious. You used force to overpower the complainant and, in essence, to take what you wanted from her, without any regard to her wishes or welfare.”

Justice Brett said the woman was in her own home when the rapes occurred.

In the evening of October 20, the woman was sitting on her couch when Breslin “made some lewd and sexually suggestive comments to her,” Justice Brett said.

“She made it clear that she was not interested in your suggestions, and you left the house. “However, you returned after a short time. When you did, you told the complainant that you wanted sex.

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“She clearly informed you that she did not want to have sex with you, and reminded you that you were both in other relationships.

“You told her that you were going to have sex with her whether she wanted it or not, and irrespective of whether she said yes or no.

“You then held her down on a couch with your hand around her throat, while you forcibly removed her clothing.

“You then pinned her to the couch by holding her there by the shoulders, and vaginally raped her.

“She attempted to physically resist you, but you were able to overcome this resistance because of your greater size and strength.

“She also continued to plead with you to stop, and to tell you that she did not want to have sex with you, but you clearly were not interested in what she wanted.”

Upon leaving her house after the assault, he informed her he would be back with a .22 rifle, a threat which terrified the woman.

Justice Brett said Breslin had a significant methamphetamine problem at the time of the offending. He is also affected by a “traumatic brain injury” suffered in a motorcycle accident when he was 13.

“You recovered well from the injury but there is some cognitive deficit although it is not certain whether this results from the injury or predated it,” Justice Brett said.

“Your psychosocial condition is a complex one and includes problems with behavioural regulation and risk-taking behaviour.

“What is very clear... (is) that the most significant factor affecting your behaviour and capacity including in to the future is your ongoing use of methamphetamine.

“Unless and until you stop using drugs, your behaviour is not likely to improve.”

Breslin was made a reportable offender under the Community Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2005 for 15 years upon his release from custody.