Joel Russo jailed for 20 years over Merri Creek Trail rape trends now
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A violent serial rapist who dragged a woman into a creek and tried to drown her before subjecting her to hours of horrific sexual abuse has been jailed for more than two decades.
Joel Russo, 29, grabbed the woman from behind and abducted her as she was jogging along the Merri Creek Trail in Melbourne's inner north in 2019.
Joel Russo (pictured), 29, grabbed the woman from behind and abducted her as she was jogging along the Merri Creek Trail in Melbourne's inner north in 2019
He dragged her down an embankment towards the creek and she clawed at the ground to try to get away.
The woman screamed as Russo pulled her into the creek's waters and pushed her head under the surface twice.
He said
