Horror as Brett Anthony Crawford is charged over the alleged burglary of an aged care home and rape of a 90-year-old woman in Bateau Bay, New South Wales

A man has been arrested after he allegedly broke into a nursing home and raped an elderly woman.

Brett Anthony Crawford, 34, also known as Brett Ralph, is believed to have broken into the facility in Bateau Bay on the New South Wales coast at around 12.40pm last Wednesday.

Inside, he is said to have attacked and sexually assaulted a 90-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to hospital where she was treated for serious injuries.

Police were called to the nursing home and immediately set up the crime scene.

The State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad immediately deployed Strike Force Easterbrook to investigate the incident.

Two days later, investigators searched a property at the entrance at around 9:20 p.m. and found electronic devices, SIM cards and clothing.

Brett Crawford has been charged with raping a 90-year-old woman

The items were confiscated and subjected to forensic examination.

Following further investigation, detectives attended a home in Caves Beach around 7:30 p.m. Monday, where Crawford was arrested as he allegedly attempted to flee police.

He was taken to hospital for minor injuries to his arm.

After his release, he was taken to the Belmont Police Station where he was charged with several felonies.

These include aggravated burglaries and committing serious criminal violence through the use of force, actual bodily harm with the intent to have sexual intercourse with the victim, aggravated sexual assaults – intentional burglaries and aggravated sexual assaults – actual bodily harm to the victim.

He was refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court on Tuesday.

Crawford is due in court later on Tuesday