Horror as Brett Anthony Crawford is charged with allegedly breaking into an aged care home and raping a 90-year-old woman at Bateau Bay, NSW

A man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into an aged care home and raping an elderly woman.

Brett Anthony Crawford, 34, who is also known as Brett Ralph, allegedly broke into the facility in Bateau Bay, on the NSW Central Coast, about 12.40am last Wednesday.

Once inside, he allegedly assaulted and sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman. 

The woman was rushed to hospital where she was treated for serious injuries. 

Police were called to the aged care home and immediately set up a crime scene. 

The State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad promptly set up Strike Force Easterbrook to investigate the incident.  

Two days later, detectives raided a property around 9.20pm and found electronics, SIM cards and clothing they will allege was relevant to their investigation. 

The items were seized to undergo forensic examination.

Following further inquiries, detectives attended a Caves Beach home about 7.30pm on Monday, where Crawford was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee from police.

He was taken to hospital for minor injuries to his arm.

On his release, he was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with several offences. 

They include aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-use violence, inflict actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse with victim, aggravated sexual assault – break and enter with intent, and aggravated sexual assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim.

 He was refused bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Tuesday. 

Crawford is due to face court later on Tuesday