'I'm too old to rape again'
A repeat rapist who terrorised Perth's western suburbs for nearly four years is bidding for his freedom, with his lawyers claiming he is too old and too ill to attack again.
Dennis Lyddieth has served nearly 20 years in jail after terrifying attacks on 13 women in their homes between 1987 and 1991, and further sex offences when he was released on parole in 2002.
The judge who originally sent Lyddieth to jail described him as a "a truly dreadful menace to the young women of our community".
But now the Supreme Court is being asked to consider releasing Lyddieth under strict supervision, with Justice Ralph Simmonds being told that heart disease and diabetes, as well his age of 63, all reduce his risk of offending.
Psychiatrist Peter Wynn-Owen said he considered Lyddieth a serious risk of attacking again, saying the stresses of looking after himself outside jail could trigger an attack.
Justice Simmonds, who sparked controversy when he released sex offender Patrick Comeagain this year, was told that while Lyddieth had made progress in jail, it was still "slight . . . on a scale of very, very, very small change".
In 1992, Lyddieth was jailed for 19 years and one month for 48 offences, including 16 counts of aggravated sexual assault, six counts of sexual assault and nine counts of in- decent assault against 13 women.
Then in 2002, after being paroled, Lyddieth was convicted of several indecent acts near beachgoers at Cottesloe and Hillarys.
He is categorised as a dangerous sex offender, but his lawyers say he could be freed under strict supervision, including GPS monitoring.
Lawyer Mara Barone argued that Lyddieth's heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and laryngitis meant he would be unlikely to be physically capable of attacks like those he committed in the 80s and 90s.
But prosecutors opposed his release, saying his "lack of frankness" with authorities would pose a significant impediment to any supervision.
Justice Simmonds is due to reserve his judgment.
