The Salt Creek attacks last year, in which a man terrorised and sexually assaulted two backpackers, captured the nation’s attention– especially when it was revealed that the attacker had pursued a dozen more on the internet in an escalating pattern of predatory behaviour.
In the Supreme Court today, Justice Trish Kelly sentenced Roman Heinze, 61, to 22-years-and-four-months sentence with a non-parole period of 17 years for sexually assaulting and attacking the young women, as well as previous offences.
Justice Kelly said the attacks were “solely in pursuit of the gratification of your own perverted sexual fantasies and desires”.
She went on to describe Heinze as “utterly depraved”, “somewhat primitive” and lacked any morale compass whatsoever.
“Even though you have presented as a docile and at times rather pathetic character sitting in the dock over these past months, it’s obvious you are a man with a very strong anger management issue,” Justice Kelly said.
“[It is] equally obvious that you have violent and obsessive sexual preoccupations for which you have amply demonstrated you’re capable of acting out.”
Heinze was also jailed for indecently assaulting another backpacker in 2014, who was also driving with him interstate, and for breaching a bond in 2014 related to assaulting a fourth woman.
Due to the nature of how Heinze met his victims, Justice Kelly warned of the perils of using the internet for travel.
“Safety does not necessarily come in numbers,” she said.
It was revealed earlier in the trial that the former chef was under a bail agreement that specifically banned him from approaching women via the Gumtree website – the platform used by the young German and Brazilian to meet him.
The 61-year-old was found guilty of kidnapping, endangering life, causing harm with intent to cause harm and assault charges, as well as the indecent assault of another backpacker in his local Hackham two years earlier.
In a recorded statement played in court, the German woman told Heinz she refused to be a victim because she was a survivor.
“I want you to know, Roman, that you could not defeat me, you could not break me,” she said.
“You could not win even when you tried so hard, first by hitting me on the head with the hammer then by driving over me with your car.
“You could not make me your victim because I am a survivor. This has only made me stronger than I have ever been. It showed me what I’m capable of.”
She spoke of how the attack had affected her relationship with others.
“I’m always aware that it could happen again. I mistrust people, I am in fear someone wants to attack me again.”
This fear was a sentiment echoed by the Brazilian backpacker she had met just days before the attack.
“After the sexual assault I was waking up in the middle of the night, scared, imagining that someone was breaking in. If my partner wasn’t home I wouldn’t leave my room,” she said.
“If I heard an unexplained noise I would break down crying.
“Every day, I see where the ropes cut into me. I feel fear even when I smell cigarette smoke — Roman smoked.”
It emerged the duo were the 14th and 15th backpackers targeted by Heinze on Gumtree’s ride-sharing section.
Heize reportedly left his job as a chef to look after his elderly father, who told The Advertiser he’s not coping with the chilling revelations.
“I’m 87 years old and this is the worst day of my life,” he said.
Justice Kelly will sentence Heinze next week.
