“Bondi Caveman” remanded for sexual assault

Waverley Local Court has refused bail for Peter James Paul Millhouse, known alternatively as Jim Mihley, Jimmy Two Hats and the “Bondi Caveman”, who is charged with sexual intercourse without consent, resisting arrest and assaulting police.

Millhouse is accused of raping a woman at the southern Bondi cliffs near Marks Park around 10pm on Tuesday, November 3.

Daniel Covington, Millhouse’s lawyer, argued for bail at Waverley Local Court on November 4 on the basis that his client had no history of similar offenses.

The woman, whose identity has not been released, was visiting the area for the annual Sculptures by the Sea exhibition, and voluntarily entered Millhouse’s camp at his invitation to help him feed some birds.

Magistrate Lee Gilmour remanded Millhouse, citing community protection and noting that he probably should have been removed from the cliffs long ago.

The 54-year-old has lived in a makeshift camp for almost 10 years despite Waverley Council attempting to remove him on numerous occasions.

In 2007 former mayor George Newhouse rescinded a removal order following a community and media campaign in support of Millhouse.

Acting Superintendent Christine George says the eviction of local homeless is a council, not a police, matter.

Current Waverley Mayor Sally Betts says the council was already planning another attempt to remove Millhouse and his belongings after ongoing public safety concerns were noted in a recent risk assessment.

“We have tried unsuccessfully to move Jimmy in the past.  The media have been most unhelpful by some outlets giving him a mobile so that he can call them if Council attempts to do anything,” says Cr Betts. “Obviously the current situation is in front of the Court and we will await the outcome before taking any further action.  It is extremely unsafe for Mr Mihley to remain living on the cliff.”

Millhouse has no history of mental health problems and survives on handouts of food and goods.  His notoriety is such that he has a Facebook Fan Page, which encourages people to post pictures of themselves visiting the cliff top camp.

Millhouse is next scheduled to appear in court on December 22, 2009.

– By Bianca Birdsall