Sleepover Nightmare Unfolds in Koonawarra as Child Endures Violent Assault
Sleepovers are often cherished as a highlight of childhood, filled with laughter and shared stories among friends. However, for one 10-year-old girl, what should have been a fun night turned into a terrifying ordeal of violence and trauma. Nathan Ernst Powell, a 50-year-old resident of Koonawarra, has pleaded guilty to serious charges related to this incident, which occurred during a sleepover in November 2023.
Guilty Plea Entered in Wollongong District Court
In August 2025, Powell admitted to two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of attempted aggravated sexual assault. An additional charge of intentionally sexually touching a child will be considered during his sentencing. The case was heard in Wollongong District Court, where Powell, brought from the cells, sat with corrective officers as emotional details were presented.
On February 6, Crown prosecutor Nerissa Keay read a victim impact statement from the child, who expressed profound fear and sadness. "I do not want to be here today as I find this very hard to talk about. I try to forget this happened to me and ignore my feelings. I am scared," the statement revealed. The child described ongoing struggles with trust, sleep, and nightmares, adding, "I don't want to sleep over anyone's house anymore. I'm just really sad. I want to feel happy again, I want to feel happy knowing he is in jail for a long time."
Disturbing Details of the Assault Emerge
Court documents outline that on November 17, 2023, the victim asked her mother for permission to attend a sleepover with friends. She went to the event, carrying a slip with her mother's contact number. The evening began innocently, with the girls playing on an iPad, eating dinner, and creating TikTok videos. After the children fell asleep, Powell entered the bedroom and woke the victim, later returning in the early hours of the morning.
He told the victim, "I need to talk to you," before leading her to another room. Despite her clear discomfort, Powell pulled her onto his bed and lay on top of her. When she screamed and tried to escape, he choked her, struck her forehead, and demanded she "shut up." He then undressed her as she cried out for her friends.
Two neighbours were alerted by "blood-curdling screams" around 12:24 am and went outside to investigate. One neighbour overheard Powell saying, "calm down, calm down." Shortly after, Powell proceeded to have sex with the victim against her will, despite her pleas to stop. He attempted to coerce her into a sexual act, telling her to "stop crying," and continued the assault, stating, "not until it's in there again."
Aftermath and Medical Evidence
At daybreak, around 5:45 am, the victim was allowed to leave the bedroom, with Powell warning her, "don't tell anyone." Before she departed, he touched her breasts, hugged her, kissed her on the mouth, and asked if she would be his girlfriend. The child later reported the abuse to her friends and mother, leading to a report at Lake Illawarra Police Station.
She was taken to Wollongong Hospital for a sexual assault examination, which revealed vaginal abrasions, ten visible injuries to her neck, and a haemorrhage in her right eye that required emergency treatment. DNA swabs from her body and clothing matched Powell, and police found her hair and blood on his bed during his arrest at his home.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing Adjournment
During the court hearing, Ms Keay condemned Powell's breach of trust, noting that the victim's mother had entrusted him with her daughter's care that night. "These are very serious offences. The Crown can only allege one aggravating feature on an indictment and there is more than one established by the agreed facts," she stated, highlighting the detention of the complainant and the neighbour's account of the screams.
The court learned that Powell entered his guilty plea after children had given evidence in a trial last year. Defence barrister Jack Hibbard acknowledged that a lengthy jail term was warranted but described the offending as "impulsive" and noted Powell's recognition of the harm caused. Judge Imad Abdul-Karim has adjourned the matter for sentencing later this month, with Powell to appear via audio-visual link from prison.
Support services are available for those affected by distressing content. Resources include Lifeline at 13 11 14, Kids Helpline at 1800 551 800, beyondblue at 1300 224 636, and 1800-RESPECT at 1800 737 732.
