Detectives from the Sexual Crime Squad are making a fresh appeal for information over 40 years after an 82-year-old woman was sexually assaulted twice in her own home in 1981 and 1983.
With advances in DNA technology and as a result of information received over the years, investigators are narrowing down their search and believe the man lived in the area during that two-year period.
The two incidents occurred at the same residential property between September 1981 and July 1983.
The victim, 82-year-old Jessie Grace Lauder, lived alone at her home in Mason Street, Newport. She had lived at the property for 55 years and was widowed in 1977 and died in 1993.
On Tuesday, 22 September 1981, Jessie was in bed when a man forced entry through the rear door of the house around 10pm.
The man entered the bedroom armed with a knife and confronted her.
She was then taken to another room in the house and sexually assaulted.
The man is then believed to have looked through Jessie's purse for money before he left the property and climbed over the back fence into a vacant lot in Oxford Street.
The second incident occurred less than two years later.
On Wednesday 6 July, 1983 Jessie was in the lounge room getting ready for bed when a man forced entry into the house around 9pm, this time through the front door.
The man forced Jessie into the kitchen - police believe this was to ensure there was no-one else in the house - before taking her back to the lounge room where she was sexually assaulted again.
During the second incident the man made reference to the earlier offence and warned Jessie not to call police.
During the incidents the offender is believed to have worn gloves, a beanie, work boots and items over his face to conceal his identity.
He was described at the time to be aged between 20 to 30-years-old with a fair complexion, dark hair, 175cm tall and spoke with an Australian accent.
Police believe the offender will be known to people who lived in the area at the time and are particularly keen to hear from people who may have seen or heard something.
An image of Jessie has been re-released.
In 2016, a $500,000 reward for information was announced, which remains on offer.
A reward of up to $500,000 will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the aggravated rape and rape.
In appropriate cases, the DPP may consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Any payment of a reward will be subject to the applicant signing a deed of confidentiality prior to payment.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Mark Burnett, Sexual Crime Squad:
"Investigators have been methodically working through the information we received, particularly after the 2016 appeal, and we believe the offender will have lived nearby during that 1981-1983 period of time.
"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who can remember a man matching that description who might have lived on the surrounding streets - Mason, Johnston, Oxford and Lucius and Cunningham lanes.
"Though Jessie is sadly no longer alive, these brutal attacks have had enduring effects on her family. Jessie was a vulnerable older woman who should have been safe in her own home.
"On the other hand, this man has lived these last 40 years with relative freedom and no repercussions yet for what he did.
"It is as important as ever that the person responsible is brought to justice and I absolutely believe that with the right information, it can be solved. If someone has knowledge of this and has lived with it for over forty years, now is the time to come forward.
"Historical investigations are unique in that updates to science, methodology and legislation allow us to progress a case in a way that may not have been possible at the time of the incident, so receiving information even over 40 years later can still make an enormous difference."
