Woman describes sex assault by machete-wielding man

By TONY BLAIS

The Edmonton Sun

A woman yesterday described being forced into her apartment by a machete-wielding stranger and then being tied up, drugged, raped and violated with a booze bottle.

The 27-year-old European woman, who cannot be identified under a publication ban, was testifying at the Court of Queen's Bench trial of Philip Allan Skulnec, 30.

Skulnec has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault with a weapon, kidnapping, unlawful confinement, administering a noxious substance, uttering threats and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

The woman testified her 5 1/2-hour ordeal began after she arrived home to her Oliver-area apartment about 1 a.m. on Dec. 1, 2007, and encountered a man in the elevator.

DIDN'T GET OFF ELEVATOR

She said the man kept pressing buttons, but didn't get off the elevator so she got scared and exited to the stairs. However, the man followed her and pulled out a knife she described as one used to hack away jungle vegetation.

She said he then held her by the neck and made her take him to her 15th floor suite.

Once inside, she said he made her undress and get down on her knees and he then tied her hands and ankles, stuffed socks in her mouth and put a towel over her head.

Her assailant then repeatedly sexually assaulted her, she said, including forcing the top of a rum bottle inside her.

She testified he also made her snort what she believed was cocaine. He eventually left after threatening to harm a friend of hers he'd seen a picture of if she told police.

Court heard the woman went to hospital to get checked out and a nurse encouraged her to report the attack.

RECOGNIZED BY MANAGER

According to agreed facts, Skulnec lived in the same building and was arrested after the building manager recognized him from a police composite drawing.

Officers seized clothing and a silver crucifix from Skulnec, which the woman had described, and found a blood-stained rum bottle in his suite.

The alleged victim is slated to be cross examined today.