Backpacker attacker convicted in Australia

A man accused of attacking two young backpackers in a harrowing ordeal at a remote Australian beach was Saturday found guilty of kidnapping and assault but cleared of attempted murder. The 60-year-old, whose identity was suppressed by the South Australian Supreme Court, was on trial for sexually assaulting a Brazilian woman and hitting her German friend with a hammer at Salt Creek, east of Adelaide, in February last year.
He denied the charges but was found guilty of six offences including indecent assault, aggravated kidnapping and endangering life. The court heard he met the backpackers through classifieds website Gumtree where they advertised for a ride from Adelaide to Melbourne, the capital of Victoria state.