A man broke into a Canberra home and woke and assaulted two women he didn't know, before trying to get them to conceal evidence of his crime, police say.
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Police said on Friday morning that Sydney resident James Dudley March, 35, broke into a home in Ainslie on the evening of March 4.
"The man, who was unknown to the occupants, awoke a sleeping woman in her bedroom and assaulted her," police said in a statement.
"A second resident of the home entered the bedroom and the man also allegedly assaulted her.
"The man then allegedly made threats to the women and forced them to shower and wipe down surfaces, in an effort to conceal forensic evidence."
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Police said after examining forensic evidence at the scene, they identified March as a suspect.
They said NSW Police arrested him on Wednesday, and he was extradited and appeared in the the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday.
March has been charged with trespass with an intent to harm, two counts of unlawful confinement, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of threatening someone so they would not participate in a criminal investigation.
March declined legal assistance from Legal Aid ACT and did not apply for bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court on June 3, where he will be expected to enter a plea.
Lanie Tindale
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
I am City reporter at The Canberra Times. I previously covered health for the masthead, and was a trainee before that. I have written on courts, federal politics, breaking news, features and opinion. lanie.tindale@canberratimes.com.au.
