Charges laid over 1980s sex attacks on grandmother

A man will face court more than four decades after a beloved grandmother was allegedly attacked and raped in her home.

Police charged a 69-year-old man on Friday afternoon following an emotional plea for information by Jessie Grace Lauder’s loved ones over two separate incidents in Melbourne’s Newport in the early 1980s.

The Hoppers Crossing man, who was arrested in Wyndham Vale in the morning, will face Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with two counts of attempted aggravated rape, aggravated burglary, aggravated indecent assault, rape, burglary and common assault.

Ms Lauder, who died in 1993, was allegedly first sexually assaulted on September 22, 1981, when a man armed with a knife confronted the then-82-year-old while she was in bed.

In July 1983, a man again allegedly attacked her after forcing his way into the house while she was getting ready for bed.

“Somebody has gone into the sanctuary of her own home not once, but twice, where she should be the most protected that you should ever feel,” her grandson Malcolm Lauder told reporters on January 14.

Earlier on Friday, sexual crime squad detectives thanked media and the public for providing vital information leading to the arrest.

“Though Jessie is sadly no longer with us, this is a momentous day for her family and in particular, her grandson, Malcolm, who have fought incredibly long and hard for justice for almost 44 years for their beloved Jessie,” Detective Inspector Mark Burnett said.

“This has been a complex, protracted and at times, difficult investigation by members of the Sexual Crime Squad ? many of whom have moved to different units over the years ? and their determination and perseverance is to be commended.”