Rhys Scerri and Leigh Lincoln: duo to stand trial over alleged rapes

Two men accused of drugging and raping multiple women across Victoria have been ordered to stand trial.

Two men accused of drugging and raping a woman have been ordered to stand trial in the County Court of Victoria later this year.

Police allege Bacchus Marsh man Rhys Scerri, 41, and Melton man Leigh Lincoln, 48, administered GHB to a woman in Harkness between October 19 and November 4 in 2020, to the point in which she was incapable of resistance, before sexually assaulting her.

On Wednesday the Melbourne Magistrates Court also heard one of the acts was allegedly filmed, and newly-released charge sheets reveal Mr Scerri to have been charged with similar alleged attacks in Ballarat and Melbourne.

Melton man Leigh Lincoln, 48, has pleaded not guilty to charges of drugging and raping a woman in Harkness in 2020. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Scerri has been charged with 20 offences, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to, and Mr Lincoln has pleaded not guilty to all five offences he has been charged with.

Magistrate Helen Spowart committed both of the men to stand trial, ruling that there was enough evidence, taken at its highest, to support Mr Scerri’s and Mr Lincoln’s convictions.

In addition to the alleged Harkness incident, police have charged Mr Scerri with multiple counts of sexual assault and the administration of GHB into another person, offences which allegedly occurred cross Ballarat and Melbourne over 2020 and 2021.

Rhys Scerri and Leigh Lincoln have been ordered to stand trial in the County Court of Victoria over charges of rape, sexual assault and administering the drug GHB. Picture: David Crosling

One of the charges states: “the accused at Ballarat between December 2020 and April 2021 did administer an intoxicating substance, namely Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid with the intention of rendering her incapable of resistance, thereby enabling the accused to take part in an act of sexual penetration with her.”

Mr Scerri is also charged with raping and sexually assaulting a person in Melton in March 2020, and raping a person in Lucas in December 2020.

In committing the pair to trial, Magistrate Spowart said it was the prosecution case there were text messages between the accused.

She also said the prosecution had submitted evidence that Mr Lincoln was in the room during one of the assaults and had “moved the camera” at times, and had also submitted that an alleged victim was unconscious in one of the videos with Mr Scerri.

Ms Spowart said the prosecution had also submitted evidence that a woman “felt” as though they had had sex after one of the alleged incidents.

Both men will attend the County Court on April 27 for a directions hearing.

Originally published as Rhys Scerri and Leigh Lincoln: duo to stand trial over alleged rapes