AusLeisure

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

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.