Vic: Serial rapist lashes out at police in court
By Melissa Iaria19 Dec 2008 1:26 PM
EDS: Note language 1st, 3rd and 4th pars
MELBOURNE, Dec 19 AAP - A serial rapist has lashed out at police in a Melbourne court, hurling a glass of water at a detective and calling another officer a "f**king dog".
Sedat Avci, already serving time for crimes that saw him dubbed the northern suburbs serial rapist, exploded in anger after being sentenced to three years' jail for an indecent act with an eight-year-old girl.
After being sentenced, Avci threw the glass of water on one detective from the dock and yelled "f**king dog" at another.
"Tell them the f***ing truth you f***ing animal," he yelled.
The shouting match continued as a group of the victim's supporters gathered around the dock, one shouting: "You rape little girls".
Avci's father also argued with police during the clash.
A team of security guards was called to restore calm and keep the fighting parties apart.
The outburst happened moments after Victorian County Court Judge Carolyn Douglas left the court room.
She had just told Avci that he had shown some insight into his behaviour.
Avci had pleaded guilty to a count of committing an indecent act with a child under 16.
The court was told he approached the girl, who was riding her bike in Broadmeadows, and asked her for directions to a school.
He then asked if she could take him there.
Once they arrived, he began to assault her and muffled her screams for help.
Judge Douglas said Avci had subjected the girl to a terrifying ordeal.
"Your behaviour was appalling and I consider there was some planning," she said.
"Parents must be allowed to allow their children a degree of freedom. They must have confidence their children will be safe."
Avci had just turned 18 at the time of the offence in April 2004, and at that time had no prior convictions.
The following year, he committed a spree of sex attacks on six women.
The attacks occurred in Coolaroo, Coburg, Brunswick, Fitzroy and Hawthorn, sparking fear in those suburbs.
All but one of the attacks occurred at night and each time the victim was alone and grabbed from behind or by the neck and threatened with a knife.
For that offending he was jailed for 16 years with a minimum of nine years. His minimum term was increased to 11 years after an appeal by the Department of Public Prosecutions.
The court was told Avci began drinking alcohol at 14 and later started using cannabis and amphetamines, which may have been factors in his crimes.
The court heard that after he has finished his jail time he wants to move away from Australia because of the attention and shame his offending has brought to his Turkish community.
Friday's sentence is to be served cumulatively with Avci's existing sentence and amounts to an additional year behind bars.
He has been given a new minimum term of 12 years.
