Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Accused gets five year jail term for raping woman in Adelaide Aquatic Centre spa

Accused gets five year jail term for raping woman in Adelaide Aquatic Centre spa
June 16, 2021

A man who raped a sleeping woman in the spa pool at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre spa has been sentenced to five years in prison, with the judge warning "like-minded men" needed to be warned that anyone who sexually assaulted a woman in that way would be jailed.

Hayas Kardo, aged 63, was found guilty of raping and indecently assaulting a women in a spa in September 2018.

Named in an ABC report, she had gone to the Adelaide Aquatic Centre to relax after working long hours as a head chef.

As she started relaxing in the corner of the spa, she fell asleep.

The rape incident, recorded by CCTV, showed Kardo edging closer towards her in the spa over the next 40 minutes, before she awoke after feeling Kardo raping her.

Speaking during sentencing today, Judge Liesl Chapman advised "you watched her leave the spa and then you left the spa; you did not stop to put your shoes on.

"You got a towel from your backpack and put it over your head.

"That was an odd thing to do given that your head had not been under the water.

"I find that you were trying to hide knowing full well what you had just done."

Judge Chapman said Kardo - who continued to deny the crime - was motivated by personal sexual gratification.

She said it was concerning he had denied his offending and had no empathy towards the victim but believed he had still learnt a lesson and was a low risk of re-offending.

Judge Chapman went on to say "you have not admitted your offending, that may be because you feel you'd lose the support of your community by making such an admission.

"Going to trial meant that (the victim) had to relive the events of that day again and again.

"She would love to hear you apologise for what you did."

Judge Chapman said the head sentence of five years' jail and non-parole period of two years and four months needed to deter "like-minded men".

She added "all women are entitled to feel safe and be safe in public and private places.

"The message is that a man will go to jail if he sexually assaults a woman in this way."

The District Court heard the victim had worked her way up to become a head chef but could no longer hold down a part-time job due to the "crippling anxiety and panic attacks" she now suffered as a result of the rape.

Judge Chapman praised her, going on to say "you are a strong woman and we need all the strong women out there that we can get.

"Your ability to achieve your career as a head chef is really impressive.

"I hope you can get back there."

She said Kardo - who arrived in Australia as a refugee - had been a "productive Australian citizen with a strong work ethic".

Before his arrest, he was a taxi driver in Adelaide and the president of the SA Kurdistan Association for more than 10 years.

Kardo - whose sentence was backdated to November last year - will be eligible for parole in two years.

Lower image shows the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

Related Articles

1st December 2020 - Man found guilty of Adelaide Aquatic Centre rape

1st October 2020 - Video shows man ‘edge’ towards sleeping woman before alleged rape at Adelaide Aquatic Centre

7th February 2020 - Park Lands Authority says Adelaide Aquatic Centre redevlopment plan is ‘inconsistent’ with usage legislation

4th September 2019 - ‘Confidentiality’ shrouds plans for future of ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre

12th July 2019 - Taxi driver to stand trial over alleged Adelaide Aquatic Centre rape

11th April 2019 - City Councillor reveals secret decision about proposed Adelaide Crows base at ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre

26th September 2018 - Man charged over alleged sexual assault at Adelaide Aquatic Centre

4th April 2016 - Eight-year-old Sydney girl infected with HIV after repeated rapes by football coach

26th October 2011 - Renovated Adelaide Aquatic Centre opens

6th April 2010 - City Council agrees Adelaide Aquatic Centre renovations


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

PaySmart

Headquartered in Brisbane with an Australia-wide network of satellite offices, PaySmart is one of Australia’s largest and longest-standing direct debit billing companies. In 1996 we began…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Tim Batt Water Solutions

Tim Batt Water Solutions are at the very forefront of the commercial aquatic business in Australia, with over 30 years specific experience supplying and installing chemical control and dosing…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Recreation / Technology / Venues

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 

Sportybots

We are the leading providers of kids fun multi-sports programs for Sport and Recreation Centres. Programs cover twelve common sports as well as Gross Motor Skill Development and suit children from as…

read more

Fitness / Play / Recreation / Sport / Wellness

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

revolutioniseSPORT

revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Technology

 
 

HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Insurance / Recreation / Safety

 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business