'I've stalked you for two days'

September 02, 2010

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VICTIMS of a serial sex attacker in Sydney, including a mother of two young children, have told a court of their continuing fear and withdrawal from society.

Shannon Curreen, 23, has pleaded guilty to eight offences related to attacks between February and August 2009 in suburban Sydney on eight women aged 16 to 39 years.

Three victim impact statements were read out during a sentencing submissions hearing at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court today, including two from women raped by Curreen.

One woman was raped on February 27, 2009, as she walked home to Rose Bay about 12.30am.

She remembers being approached from behind, having a knife held to her throat and being told not to scream.

"He raped me,'' she said in her statement.

"All I remember (is) his weight on top of me, the blade against my throat.''

As she dressed herself after the attack, Curreen told her not to look back as she left.

"He told me, 'Don't look back, keep walking. I've stalked you for two days, I know where you live,''' she said.

Another victim said in her statement that after being attacked by Curreen she was left with cuts and scratches and remained "very scared and angry''.

"With two young children to bring up, this incident leaves me feeling flat and doubting the safety of the world I brought them into,'' she said.

Her one-year-old son was just metres away from her when she was attacked.

"I refuse to walk alone at night. I've become a lot less social,'' she added.

Curreen has pleaded guilty to two rapes, three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse, and three assaults with intent to commit sexual assault.

Judge Peter Berman has been asked to take into account six lesser offences - including four counts of indecent assault.

Curreen's older brother told the court of his shock when he learned of his sibling's offences.

Growing up in New Zealand, Koby Curreen said, he and his brother were "mates''.

"Personally I didn't know any of this stuff was going on,'' he told the court.

"All the time I've known him he's been a really nice guy ... when we were growing up we were quite close. We were mates, not just brothers.''

The slim, dark-haired Curreen sat quietly in the dock of the court throughout the morning's proceedings.

Judge Berman will sentence Curreen at 11am tomorrow.

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Police are great but can't be everywhere all the time. However a Glock 36 could be with you at all times except your local politician is working to ensure that you remain reliant on the state to protect you.