Police allege DNA evidence links a Bendigo man with the rapes of two young women more than 30 years ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rodney Hampton appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning, having been charged with two counts of rape earlier in the week.
Mr Hampton made an application for bail, which was opposed by the police on the grounds he allegedly posed an unacceptable risk of endangering the safety and welfare of others, interfering with witnesses, and failing to appear at court while on bail.
The 57-year-old is accused of attacks on a 20-year-old woman and a 16-year old girl in early 1988, when he was 24.
More court news: Fire-starter admits to involvement in central Victorian spree
The court heard it was about 12.30am on January 15 when a 20-year-old woman left the Bendigo CBD after a night out with friends.
She was walking along View Street alone when a man asked her for the time, to which she replied "I wouldn't know".
The man then allegedly grabbed the woman across the mouth with one hand and her waist with his other, pushed her onto the ground in the front yard of a residence, and raped her.
Then on March 19 that same year, a 16-year-old girl accepted a lift from a motorist after she stepped on some broken glass while walking home from the Bendigo CBD.
The court heard the driver told her he was going to stop by at a friend's house, then began driving out of Bendigo.
The victim reported she felt sick and began crying.
More court news: Man lit fire that destroyed own car and house, court hears
The driver allegedly stopped off Diamond Hill Road and raped the teenager, before driving her back into town.
Forensic samples were taken in both cases, and in 2012, a DNA profile was obtained.
Then in June last year, the court was told, a DNA sample from Mr Hampton was examined and allegedly matched to the samples taken from one victim's underwear and a vaginal swab from the other.
The court heard Mr Hampton was arrested after his home was raided on Monday, November 2, and he made a 'no comment' interview.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Greg Langan, from Victoria Police's Sexual Crimes Squad, told the court the victims were concerned about Mr Hampton finding them.
Defence lawyer Karin Temperley said delay was a concern in this case, particularly given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the courts.
Ms Temperley said Mr Hampton was in government housing and faced losing that if he did not reside in it for some time.
More court news: Drug drivers fined, banned from roads
She submitted he had ties to the area, including a sister who had moved to Bendigo, and a pet.
"That pet plays a significant role in Mr Hampton's life," she said.
Ms Temperley said her client also had a number of health issues, and any risks could be ameliorated through bail conditions.
But police prosecutor Senior Constable Martin Friend submitted the prosecution case was strong, and the time Mr Hampton spent on remand was unlikely to exceed the sentence he would receive if found guilty.
Magistrate Julie Grainger found Mr Hampton had not demonstrated the compelling reasons necessary to secure his release on bail.
Ms Grainger said the strength of the case and the seriousness of the charges outweighed the submissions put before the court on Mr Hampton's behalf.
Mr Hampton was remanded in custody to again appear in court next January.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.