A 39-year-old man, Timothy Richards, has been charged with two counts of rape and one count each of aggravated burglary and threatening to kill in connection with a series of alleged offenses in Melbourne's southwest.
According to reports from Melbourne Magistrates' Court, Richards is accused of breaking into a woman's home on Thursday morning while armed with a knife. He allegedly raped her twice and threatened to kill her if she made noise. Later that evening, Richards allegedly attempted to abduct a 21-year-old woman waiting at a bus stop. The woman was reportedly able to escape with the intervention of a witness.
On Friday morning, Richards allegedly followed a staff member into Mossfiel Primary School, where he is accused of an assault shortly before students were scheduled to arrive. He was arrested later that morning. Authorities noted that Richards was on bail for assault charges at the time of his arrest and allegedly employed disguises, including high-visibility clothing, a shaved head, and the removal of an eyebrow piercing.
Richards has denied the allegations. Bail was refused, and he is scheduled to appear in court again in November. He reportedly has an extensive criminal history spanning 22 pages.