standing in a row

A man has been charged with the rape of a 91-year-old woman in New South Wales after police carried out Australia's first mass DNA screening.

Stephen James Boney, 44, was arrested after the entire male population of the town of Wee Waa were tested.

Police refused to say whether the man charged was one of more than 600 men older than 18 from the town who 10 days ago volunteered to give saliva samples to be DNA tested.

However, prosecutor Brian Willis told the court a further DNA test had been conducted using a swab taken from Mr Boney after his arrest.

Last hope

Police decided on the mass screening programme after all leads failed in the hunt for a man who attacked and sexually assaulted the woman as she slept in the early hours of 1 January last year.

The woman received serious head injuries in the attack and continues to suffer deep emotional trauma.

Police wanted to compare samples from volunteers to DNA material found at the scene of the crime.

Only about 20 men in the cotton-growing town refused to give samples.

Police allege Mr Boney, a farm labourer, broke into the home of Rita Knight and raped her.

He was charged late on Monday with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated breaking and entering and committing a felony involving violence.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

In a brief court appearance on Tuesday, the accused did not enter a plea and was ordered to remain in custody until a further hearing.

-- heydannyboythepipes (thepipesarec@ll.ing), April 18, 2000

Answers

So much for being 'obliged' to give testimony or evidence against yourself. 'Course that's Australia, which has already given in to the gun grabbers. Wonder what their Constitution says about all this?

-- SureHope (ItDoesn'tHappen@Here.com), April 18, 2000.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Steven James Boney <---- ahahahah

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), April 18, 2000.