In the early hours of New Year’s Day, a 76-year-old woman was reportedly attacked by a man who broke into her room while she slept. The accused, significantly younger at 31, allegedly committed the assault in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

Identified as Hayden Carl Skinner, the suspect is known to struggle with drug use and resides in the same town. The incident unfolded after he reportedly scaled a fence at a local aged care facility, crossed a courtyard, and entered the victim’s room through an unlocked door.

As Skinner’s trial began today in Coffs Harbour District Court, he admitted to the unlawful entry but denied charges of aggravated sexual assault. The trial is being conducted by a judge alone.

Defense attorney Peter Pearsall argued that Skinner’s actions were not driven by a desire to commit sexual assault but were instead financially motivated.

Public defender Peter Pearsall said his client had no intention of sexually assaulting anyone but was rather motivated for financial reasons.

“He was a drug user, he had a drug debt and he was under pressure to satisfy that debt,” he told Judge Michael McHugh.

Skinner allegedly raped the victim, who was in the centre because of poor physical health rather than for any mental health conditions.

He is accused of removing her pants, underwear and incontinence pad before sexually assaulting her.

The alleged victim was found by a nurse outside her room naked from the waist down, crown prosecutor Brendan Campbell SC told the court.

Skinner’s DNA was found on the woman’s pants which police located on the floor near her bed, he said.

When examined at the Coffs Harbour base hospital, the 76-year-old was seen with bruising to her inner thighs and an abrasion to her genital area.

This was consistent with her legs having been forced apart, Campbell said.

She had also made rape claims to the aged care centre’s nurses, a paramedic, another resident and her son, he told the court.

Pearsall disputed the claims of rape, saying that when his client entered the room, the 76-year-old woke and grabbed him.

There was a struggle without sexual contact before Skinner escaped, he said.

Police found the 31-year-old’s palm prints on the scene and he was arrested on January 4, 2024.

He has been on remand since.

The 76-year-old had since passed away due to causes unrelated to the alleged sexual assault, Judge McHugh heard.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028