Augusto Eidi Ito: Alleged sexual assault case delayed after lawyer change

A Brazilian man facing seven sexual assault charges was meant to enter pleas this month but a last minute change has pushed back court proceedings. Read what happened here.

Augusto Eidi Ito, 43, appeared in the Southport District Court over seven sexual assault charges on April 24, 2025. Picture: Emily Walker

A Brazilian man who has previously been described as a creator of “massage porn” and is facing a number of sexual assault charges has changed lawyers the day he was meant to enter his pleas.

Augusto Eidi Ito, 43, has been charged with seven sexual assault charges.

Police allege that three of the charges took place at Broadbeach on December 22, 2023 with four other charges allegedly occurring in Southport on November 10, 2023.

Ito appeared in the Southport District Court on Thursday April 24. He was scheduled to be arraigned that day but instead, he changed lawyers.

Ito’s former solicitor, David Hadley from Guardian Criminal Law, sought leave to withdraw.

“So I’ve had pretty much everyone from your firm now appear or not appear as it turns out ...and now you’re seeking leave to withdraw due to a conflict?” Judge Deborah Holliday KC asked.

Augusto Eidi Ito, 43, leaving Southport Courthouse on April 24, 2025. Picture: Emily Walker

Craig van der Hoven from Paradise Law came on the record to be Ito’s new defence lawyer.

He asked for a short adjournment of the matter to access material and asked for the arraignment to be relisted for May 15.

He said Ito would enter a plea on that day.

“You might want to familiarise yourself with the history of the matter including that it was listed for sentence before me this week,” Judge Holliday said.

While in court, the Crown prosecution asked for a variation in Ito’s bail.

The court heard Ito’s bail instructed him not to contact one of his complaints but there were two other complainants not listed in that condition.

Judge Holliday varied the bail and the two other complainants were included in the list of people Ito cannot contact while on bail.

He will appear in court for arraignment on May 15.

A sentence listing has been scheduled for June 11.

Originally published as Augusto Eidi Ito: Alleged sexual assault case delayed after lawyer change