John Peter Jobi, 34, jailed over 2021 daylight rape of tourist at Cairns Esplanade

A man who raped a tourist at the Esplanade while she lay on her towel after a swim has been sentenced to 2.5 years jail after pleading guilty in a Cairns court.

A tourist who was raped at the Cairns Esplanade while she lay on her towel after a swim four years ago still feels frightened to be alone and frightened to be in public, a court has been told.

John Peter Jobi, 34, pleaded guilty in Cairns District Court to one count of rape over the daylight crime, which happened on March 26, 2021.

Judge Dean Morzone KC sentenced Jobi to 2.5 years jail, suspended for 2.5 years.

In sentencing, he also noted Jobi’s mental health challenges and his significant efforts to stay off alcohol and turn his life around in the past 12 months, with the help of support workers under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Crown prosecutor Rachelle Logan said the victim and Jobi were 30 at the time of the rape.

The victim was holidaying in Cairns and had been for a swim at the Esplanade before returning to lie on her towel to dry off.

She said Jobi approached the woman from behind and digitally raped her in the middle of the day.

A tourist who was raped after a swim in the Cairns Esplanade lagoon pool four years ago is haunted by the attack.

“The offending was very humiliating and there were some effects to her from this particular incident,” Ms Logan said.

Judge Morzone recounted those effects from the victim impact statement, noting the woman said she felt scared and humiliated by the attack itself and continued to experience fear when alone and when out in public.

He noted Jobi was extremely intoxicated when he committed the rape, with a blood alcohol reading of 0.262. He was also on a suspended sentence for other offences, said Judge Morzone.

Defence barrister James Sheridan said Jobi suffered from chronic schizophrenia, which was the reason he talked to himself throughout the sentencing proceeding.

He said Jobi had never committed a sexual offence before and was a man with a partner and son, who was remorseful and sorry for what he had done.

Mr Sheridan told the court Jobi had stopped drinking and, with the help of support workers and the NDIS, had managed to build a more stable, healthy and law-abiding life.

Judge Morzone ordered that Jobi’s jail term be suspended for 2.5 years to take into account his guilty plea, the 551 days (about 18 months) that he had already spent in jail waiting for the finalisation of the case, and to allow him to continue his rehabilitation.

“Your offending was serious and I have to make you understand you can never do this again,” Judge Morzone said.

“You must stay well, stay good and stay respectful to others.”

Originally published as John Peter Jobi, 34, jailed over 2021 daylight rape of tourist at Cairns Esplanade