Australia's 'Bondi caveman' accused of rape

November 04, 2009 08:01:39 PM

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An Australian vagrant known as the "Bondi caveman" in honour of his clifftop home at the world-famous beach has been arrested on allegations of rape, police said Wednesday.

Peter James Millhouse, who also goes by the names Jhiymy Mhiyles and Jimmy Twohats, was taken into custody late Tuesday after a woman accused him of raping her at the rocky ledge overlooking Bondi Beach that he calls home.

"About 10:00 pm police were called to Marks Park at the northern end of Bondi Beach," police said in a statement.

"A woman told police she had been sexually assaulted by a man at a location nearby."

Millhouse has been living in a beachside squat made of tarpaulin and rope and rigged with a pirate flag since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and survives on handouts of food and money made from poetry he writes.

The wild-bearded Millhouse made international headlines in 2007 when the local council backed down from plans to evict him from the affluent suburb after a public outcry.

A local magistrate refused to release him on bail on the rape charge, saying that "returning to that cliff face is not an option." He will remain in custody until at least December 22.