NATASHA GRANATH
Truck driver Nicholas Hooper took a fabricated police identity card, a black folder marked “Confidential” and a pair of handcuffs before he knocked on a prostitute’s door in Mount Street, Perth, nearly three years ago.
He had found her phone number in the personal columns of a newspaper and when she opened the door, he told her his name was Detective Andrews and that she should give him her details or she could be in trouble.
Frightened and confused, the woman co-operated when the man told her that unless she had sex with him and gave him money he would tell her family what she did for a living or even have her arrested.
It was a scenario the 42-year-old father of four from Morley played out numerous times with prostitutes in 2003 — at homes in Rivervale, Burswood, Yokine and Perth — after finding their details in the paper.
Hooper’s home was raided by police on March 14 and he was charged with extortion and sexual penetration without consent.
In a District Court trial that ended last week, Hooper was found guilty of four of seven counts of sexual penetration without consent after pleading not guilty. The charges each carry a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
Hooper pleaded guilty to demanding money using threats.
The court was told Hooper had been suffering a back injury at the time and was off work and on heavy painkillers, having worked in the mining industry for several years.
Defence lawyer Paul Sullivan said that since the offences his client’s marriage had dissolved and he now had a new partner and a four-monthold child.
Hooper had a minor criminal record.
Prosecutor Louise O’Connor said Hooper had used deceit and intimidation to prey on vulnerable women over several months.
“He only stopped when it became clear to him that he might be caught because of one victim’s reaction to him,” she said.
Judge Peter Martino sentenced Hooper to five years and four months jail to be served over two years, with eligibility for parole.
Hooper also pleaded guilty on Monday in Perth Magistrate’s Court to four counts of impersonating a police officer and was sentenced to six months jail for each count, to be served concurrently with his other sentence.