On Thursday, Mr Russo was charged with 10 counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, reckless conduct endangering life and reckless conduct endangering serious injury. Police at the scene of an attack on a jogger on the Merri Creek trail in Coburg. Credit:Justin McManus Mr Russo allegedly held the woman's head under water during the assault, which placed her in danger of death, and also strangled her. Other details of the alleged attack are too graphic for publication. Joel Russo in the hours before the alleged attack.

The woman persuaded Mr Russo to walk her more than two kilometres to a McDonald's outlet in Brunswick East about 10pm, where she screamed and the alleged attacker fled. A number of customers inside the fast-food outlet helped the woman, before she was taken to hospital. Mr Russo was due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon, but he refused to be brought into the courtroom. Alleged Merri Creek rapist Joel Russo (right) at MotoInk on Sydney Road, Coburg on the day of the attack. He remained in the court cells during a short hearing in which his lawyer Oliver Smith said Mr Russo had issues that would need to be managed while he was in custody.

"He has an acquired brain injury, intellectual disability, diagnosis of bipolar and schizophrenia," Mr Smith said. "He also suffers from chronic back pain for which he’s prescribed Lyrica ... He is also prescribed an antidepressant." The court heard a large amount of evidence was being compiled, including CCTV. Alleged Merri Creek rapist Joel Russo at MotoInk on Sydney Road, Coburg on the day of the attack. Mr Russo did not apply for bail. The matter is scheduled to return to court on March 12.

Earlier on the day of the alleged attack, Mr Russo was captured on CCTV walking into Sydney Road motorcycle, tattoo and barber shop, MotoInk, where he had photos taken of him on several motorbikes. "He's come in with a carer," MotoInk director Monier Kandil said. "He was sitting on the motorbikes. We didn't know who he was until we were approached today." Detectives from the Sexual Crimes Squad are now appealing for information from anyone who saw a man enter or travel through the parkland near the creek between 6pm and 9pm on December 3. They are also asking anyone who saw the woman and Mr Russo inside the McDonalds, or who saw them walking into the venue, to contact police.

Acting Superintendent Kelly Lawson from the Fawkner Division said police had increased patrols around Merri Creek, Coburg and surrounding areas for community reassurance, and to address any concerns locals had. The increased patrols will continue next week. "We understand the community is shocked and concerned by the horrific incident that occurred in Coburg on Tuesday night," she said. "The alleged offender is in custody and there is no further threat to the community in relation to this incident. "Victoria Police would like to reassure the community they can continue to live their lives and go about their daily business – as is their right to do so safely."

The alleged assault is the latest in a series of unrelated attacks on women in public spaces in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Comedian Eurydice Dixon, 22, was raped and murdered in Princes Park in June 2018. In January, international student Aiia Maasarwe, 21, was attacked and killed as she walked home in Bundoora, and Courtney Herron, 25, was bashed to death in Royal Park in May. Olivia Greenwell, a local resident who often runs along the Merri Creek trail with a group of other women, said they were planning an event called Reclaim Our Merri Creek for Sunday evening. "We were at first upset and shocked, and then outraged another woman was attacked in an area where we all want to be safe," she said.

"I think for all of us, even going back as far as Jill Meagher and more recently Eurydice Dixon, it brings up that general safety concern. "We really want to be able to reclaim the space and invite other members [of the community], not just women." The group will meet at Mayer Park in Thornbury at 6pm then walk along the Merri Creek trail towards Bell Street. "Already 1000 people have shown interest on Facebook, and it shows that people are still really alive to this issue of women needing to feel safe when out and about," Ms Greenwell said. Anyone with information is urged to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.