A 16-year-old boy sexually assaulted a teenage girl and grabbed two women in a series of brazen, daylight attacks in Figtree, a court has heard.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threatened the 15-year-old girl with a knife before sexually assaulting her as she walked her dog through Roy Johansen Park last December, Wollongong District Court was told yesterday.
The violent attack came just days after he grabbed a woman as she wandered through Harry Graham Park, forcing her to the ground before she managed to escape.
Another victim was walking along a Figtree cycleway when the teen attacked her.
Defence barrister Peter Pearsall told the court the teen had a dysfunctional attitude towards women due to Asperger syndrome.
Mr Pearsall accepted the teen, now 17, still posed a moderate risk to the community, conceding he could not guarantee he would not offend again, but said the teen had only recently been diagnosed with the syndrome and treatment was available.
The teen, who pleaded guilty to the attacks, approached his first victim, a 22-year-old woman, in May last year as she walked her dog along a Koloona Ave cycleway, a statement before the court said.
The teen had followed her along the track before he put his arms over her shoulders and dragged her onto grass nearby. The woman managed to scream and kick him off and he fled the scene.
The teen struck again in December, grabbing a woman as she walked through Harry Graham Park.
Wearing his school uniform, the teen followed the 23-year-old before he grabbed her from behind, placed his hand over her mouth and forced her onto the ground.
The woman struggled and tried to scream but the teen grabbed her around the throat.
The victim managed to get the boy off her but he then made lewd comments before leaving the park.
A fortnight later, the teen attacked the 15-year-old girl as she walked her dog through Roy Johansen Park.
He followed the teenager before he grabbed her, placed a knife to her throat and covered her eyes.
He then pushed the victim off the path before sexually assaulting her.
He pleaded guilty to detaining for advantage, aggravated sexual assault and recklessly inflicting actual bodily harm with intent.
Multiple other counts are also to be considered in sentencing.
Mr Pearsall told the court the teen had a history of troubled behaviour and his parents had long suspected he might have Asperger's.
Judge Paul Conlon adjourned the matter to October 26 for sentence.
