Vic rapist could be free in three years

A predator who raped a pregnant woman in her own home then snatched a sleeping toddler and indecently assaulted him could serve as little as three years in prison for the historical crimes.

Melbourne man Andrew James Schwab, 53, has already served two separate prison terms for attacks on seven other victims during a violent sexual rampage in 1987 and 1988.

On Thursday he was jailed for six years with a minimum of three for the 1987 rape and aggravated indecent assault that he pleaded guilty to after his DNA was matched to samples taken by police almost 30 years ago.

Victorian County Court Judge Meryl Sexton said Schwab robbed his first victim of the life she had planned, and the second offence on the boy was "as serious as one can comprehend".

About 9am on January 13, 1987, Schwab entered the bedroom of a sleeping woman, then 21, and woke her up by jumping on the bed, then hitting her in the face.

She pleaded with him not to hurt her because she was pregnant.

"Chillingly, you said you knew," Judge Sexton said.

He then raped her.

"She was consumed with fear and anxiety for the health of her unborn child," Judge Sexton said.

The victim was examined and DNA samples were taken, but police made no arrest.

Her marriage broke up and she did not fulfil her plans to have a large family.

"She deliberately made herself unattractive to ward off rapists because she did not know the identity of her attacker," Judge Sexton said.

About four weeks after the rape, Schwab snatched a sleeping two-year-old boy from his bed, removed his lower clothing and indecently assaulted him.

The boy's father found him outside his flat, crying on the ground.

Judge Sexton said the victim, now aged in his thirties, did not know the full extend of what Schwab had done to him, and so did not repeat the details in court.

She sentenced Schwab as a serious sexual offender, however, she took into account the delay, his guilty plea and the fact Schwab had expressed remorse for these crimes and demonstrated some empathy for his victims.