Backpackers’ attacker convicted

SYDNEY: A man accused of attacking two young backpackers in a harrowing ordeal at a remote Australian beach was found guilty of kidnapping and assault but cleared of attempted murder.

The 60-year-old, whose identity was suppressed by the court, was on trial for sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman and hitting her German friend with a hammer at Salt Creek, east of Adelaide, in February last year.

He denied the charges but was found guilty of six offences including indecent assault, aggravated kidnapping and endangering life.

The court heard he met the backpackers through classifieds website Gumtree where they advertised for a ride from Adelaide to Melbourne, the capital of Victoria state.

After picking them up, they drove to the remote site in Coorong National Park where they set up camp, the Adelaide Advertiser newspaper reported.

The court was told the man and the Brazilian went looking for kangaroos in nearby sand dunes, at which point he pulled out a knife and bound her wrists with rope before cutting off her bikini and sexually assaulting her.