Grandad denies murder attempt (From Western Telegraph)

Grandad denies murder attempt

A Pembroke Dock pensioner accused of rape tracked down his victim's mother and tried to murder her, a Swansea Crown Court jury heard yesterday (Tuesday).

George Fairbrass, aged 71, of Waterloo Road, Pembroke Dock, heard the girl, 21, and her mother had left west Wales following the alleged rape.

In a bid to stop the case, Fairbrass traced them to their new home 300 miles away, and turned up with a pair of gloves and a baseball bat, it was alleged.

Huw Rees, prosecuting, said no-one was at home. But as the mother approached her flat in Portsmouth she heard footsteps behind her.

Fairbrass, who was waiting outside, told her to put on the television and draw the curtains. He was carrying a carrier bag and took out a pair of gloves and what appeared to be a baseball bat.

"The defendant pushed a settee against her. She moved away and fell onto a single chair," said Mr Rees. "Fairbrass placed his hands around her throat and applied pressure by squeezing. "The next thing she remembers is waking up in the chair. Her face and clothes were covered in blood and she realised she had a head injury.

"He had left her alone, unconscious and without medical aid or attention. "The prosecution say the nature and ferocity of the attack was such that his intention was to kill her," added Mr Rees. Police found her "bleeding profusely" from a large open wound to the forehead. She had other cuts to the head and her neck was red.

Forensic officers found blood on the front door, stairwell and sitting room. Mr Rees said Fairbrass was arrested shortly afterwards. Police officers noticed he had scratches on both sides of his face and there were blood stains on his jacket and trousers.

Fairbrass was taken to a holding cell, where an officer wrote on the palm of his hand that he suddenly said, "I'd rather go to prison for murder than rape any day".

Mr Rees said the motive for the attack was a bid by Fairbrass to force both the girl, a student, and her mother to change their stories about the rape. He was arrested in August 2002 and admitted having sex with her, but claimed it was with her consent "despite their fifty year age difference".

The daughter gave evidence at Swansea crown court yesterday (Tuesday) and told how Fairbrass had pushed her up against a corridor wall and raped her in her own home.

Fairbrass was charged with rape but allowed bail on condition he did not leave west Wales or attempt to contact the alleged victim or her mother.

The prosecution say he made considerable efforts to seek them out and went to Hampshire to make contact with them.

Fairbrass denies rape, making threats to kill, attempting to pervert the course of justice, attempted murder and other charges. The trial continues.