The Sleazebag Strangler

Robert John Adams lived as a free man for 30 years after his sick crime…

- Saskia Murphy

Australian nurse Mary Louise Wallace was reported as missing in September 1983.

She hadn’t been seen since she left the Alpine Inn wine bar in Crows Nest, New South Wales in the early hours of 24 September.

Mary, 33, had spent the night with friends, and was last seen getting into local carpenter Robert John Adam's car.

Adams had already faced three allegations of rape in the 1970's, and received one conviction.

In the first incident, in 1975, the court heard how he’d placed his hands around the alleged victim’s throat and strangled her until she almost lost consciousness.

The victim was so scarred by the attack that she fled Sydney before the trial ended, fearing for her life. So a verdict couldn’t be reached.

The following year, Adams tried to seduce a woman at a sailing club. But when she rejected his advances, Adams took her by the throat and threatened to choke her.

He then raped the woman, saying he wanted to ‘finish her off’.

After the sickening assault, Adams told his victim to take him to the police station, where detectives charged him with rape. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

On his release two years later, in 1978, in a North Sydney bar, Adams met a woman who was later raped. He was implicated in the crime but not convicted.