Accused St Mary’s Cathedral attempted rapist released by courts last month

A person who allegedly tried to rape a woman outside St Mary’s Cathedral in central Sydney was released by the courts just weeks ago.

But Benjamin Charles Jones, who is transgender and goes by the name Willow, cried out in court that they “had nothing to do with it”.

Jones allegedly grabbed a 31-year-old woman as she walked past the cathedral just before midnight on Tuesday evening.

The 47-year-old was arrested at Surry Hills police station on Wednesday, and charged with take or detaining the woman, stalking or intimidating to cause physical harm, and attempted sexual intercourse without consent.

Jones appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday afternoon with a visibly bleeding scratch on their face.

“I identify as transgender and queer … I had nothing to do with it,” they exclaimed when their matter was heard in court.

Jones was ordered to stop speaking by both their lawyer and the magistrate.

Police said Jones was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for breaching a community corrections order.

Court records show they were given a 12-month community corrections order just last month.