Rapist, torturer gets life in prison

A QUEENSLAND man has been sentenced to life in prison for systematically raping and burning a woman over three weeks of drug-induced violence. Nicholas John Crilley’s vicious attacks left the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, so severely injured paramedics initially thought she was dead.

The 34-year-old was convicted in the Brisbane District Court of 56 offences after a depraved 23-day assault on the woman in June 2017.

These included supplying a dangerous drug, rape, sexual assault, grievous bodily harm, serious assault, deprivation of liberty and torture.

The woman, who was 22 at the time, suffered burns to 46 per cent of her body, multiple broken bones, internal injuries and deep lacerations.

Some of her wounds were severely infected and infested with maggots.

Paramedics found the woman “on the brink of death” in a semiconscious state.

Prosecutor Sandra Cupina said Crilley had taken pleasure in subjecting the woman to physical and psychological violence.

“The horror (she) would have been experiencing is almost unimaginable,” Ms Cupina said during Crilley’s sentencing hearing last week.

The court heard Crilley had told his victim to choose how to die – being shot, bled to death or a car crash.

He burned her with cigarettes, acetone and boiling water and made her eat her own vomit.

She was placed in an induced coma and spent eight weeks in hospital recovering, which included learning to speak, eat and walk again.

“I have been disfigured both mentally and physically. It is something I would not wish on my worst enemies,” she said, reading her victim impact statement.

YET, DESPITE THE TERRIBLE ORDEAL SHE (THE VICTIM) HAS SUFFERED, SHE DISPLAYS COURAGE, DIGNITY AND RESILIENCE

Crilley was taken into custody after a dramatic police chase involving several stolen cars. It ended a month-long methylamphetamine-induced delusional state during which he falsely believed the woman had been part of a drive-by shooting that targeted him.

Judge Anthony Rafter SC said Crilley’s brutal acts had taken the woman to the “edge of death”.

“For a period of 23 days you engaged in systematic acts of degradation and torture,” he said. “The victim’s life will never be the same. Yet, despite the terrible ordeal she has suffered, she displays courage, dignity and resilience.”

He sentenced Crilley to life in prison.