A man who previously admitted to the kidnap and sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl in Newcastle has pleaded guilty to further rape offences.
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT
Brett David Hill has previously admitted to kidnapping the 11-year-old girl in the Newcastle suburb of Adamstown Heights while she was walking through a park on her way to school in June last year.
The court had heard the 48-year-old took her to isolated bush areas and subjected her to a horrific period of repeated sexual assault before finally releasing her five hours later.
At a court appearance in May, Hill had already pleaded guilty to six charges including four counts of aggravated sexual assault associated with forcing the girl to have oral sex, and also digital anal and vaginal penetration, but he denied a number of additional more serious aggravated sexual assault charges connected with the young girl's rape.
Admitted to further charges
Today Hill was expected to appear in Newcastle District Court for a four-day judge-alone trial to fight those further charges, but after lengthy discussions with his lawyers, he was escorted into the dock and the court was advised by the Crown Prosecutor, Lee Carr SC, that he would be changing his plea.
Hill then went on to admit to a further three aggravated sexual assault charges in connection to the anal and vaginal rape of the child, the graphic details of which were read out to him for each of the three counts, to which he replied "I plead guilty your honour".
In turn, the Crown Prosecutor dropped four lesser charges including three of aggravated indecent assault.
The Crown then read out a statement of gratitude from the young girl's family who thanked community members and staff at a local shopping centre for their help since the offence, including trawling through extensive CCTV footage of vehicles to assist prosecutors and police in their investigations.
The matter has been adjourned for sentencing submissions in December.
