Victorian man accused of assaulting 11 women claims to have sexsomnia, court hears
A Victorian man accused of raping and sexually assaulting 11 women told police he has diagnosed himself with “sexsomnia”, a court has heard.
Police discovered a list of 89 names in a note on the man’s phone under headings of “sex” and “relationships” after one of the 11 women reported the 25-year-old for alleged rape.
Officers have been able to contact 80 of the women and 19 alleged sexual offending against them by the man.
Six decided not to pursue police action, two are considering their options and 11 made statements against him, police have revealed.
The man cannot be identified because some of the offending dates back to 2011 – when he was aged 15.
The South Gippsland man was granted bail by a Victorian magistrate on Thursday afternoon despite opposition from police and prosecutors.
The prosecutor described the 21 charges of rape, sexual and indecent assault and reckless conduct endangering serious injury as some of the most serious he had seen in his career.
He described the alleged behaviour as predatory and grooming that dated back at least 10 years.
The allegations came to light after a 29-year-old woman alleged she had been raped by the man in 2019. He was arrested and told officers he suffered from a condition called sexsomnia.
Sexsomnia is a disorder that leads a person to engage in sexual acts while they’re sleeping. It has appeared in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders since 2013.
The man said he had not been formally diagnosed but had “formed his opinion based on advice from previous partners”.
The man gave officers the names of former partners who he said could verify his claim, prompting officers to contact all the women on his sex/relationship list.
The alleged assaults date back to 2011 and involve women who were aged
between 14 and 29 at the time.
The 25-year-old is accused of raping and sexually assaulting them while they were in bed or as they slept.
One woman confronted the man the following morning and he allegedly told her he had no memory but was aware from previous relationships he had “done similar things” in his sleep.
He allegedley smirked at another woman when she asked him about an incident the previous night – telling her later he suffered sexsomnia and had no control or recollection.
Det Leading Sen Const Shane Kew said the man apologised in advance to one woman – who was staying with him during a Covid lockdown – warning her not to wake him if something happened.
After he allegedly sexually assaulted her, he told her it was not his fault and she should wear more clothes to bed to stop him, Kew said.
The man is also accused of grabbing another woman by the throat, choking her to stifle her complaints and prevent her from resisting during an alleged rape.
The man’s parents offered up to $20,000 surety to secure his bail and said he could live with them. Kew raised concerns given some of the offending allegedly occurred in his family home.
“There was concerning behaviour he was allowed to get away with as a child. I can only imagine as an adult there’s even less level of control,” he told the court.
But the magistrate highlighted delays in the case and said the risk he posed could be mitigated to an acceptable level.
The accused is banned from using dating apps and social media, must live with his parents and abide by a curfew.
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found viawww.befrienders.org.