Alleged rapist kicked off tenancy by court over suspicion of illegal activity

There were emotional scenes as a magistrate officially evicted a Bundaberg man accused of more than a dozen offences including rape from a community housing property.

Kane Oliver Egan was refused bail while facing multiple charges including provision of prostitution with a child/intellectually impaired person.

A Bundaberg man who is facing charges including rape and knowingly participating in the provision of prostitution of a child or intellectually impaired person has been evicted from his rental property by a magistrate.

Kane Oliver Egan appeared wearing green prison garb via video link the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday October, 31.

The 46-year-old is facing 13 charges including rape, aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor, knowingly participating in the provision of prostitution, knowingly participating in the provision of prostitution of a child/intellectually impaired person, possessing and supplying dangerous drugs.

Mr Egan appeared before the court following a termination of tenancy application lodged by Regional Housing.

Beth Carter made an application to the court on behalf of Regional Housing in regards to Mr Egan’s “objectionable behaviour”.

Regional Housing - which offers transitional, crisis, community and other housing - requested Magistrate John McInnes terminate Mr Egan’s tenancy agreement, while allowing another tenant to remain at the property.

“We sought advice from the Residential Tenancies Authority because ordinarily we would issue a notice to leave for suspicion of illegal activity,” she said.

“As we wanted to keep (another tenant) in the tenancy as we don’t believe that she was party to that activity, they advised this would be the best way to proceed.”

Mr Egan did not oppose the tenancy termination, while the other tenant to the property burst into tears with relief.

“It’s a bit of sledgehammer to crack a walnut situation, and it doesn’t seem to give me specific power simply to remove one person from the tenancy,” Mr McInnes said.

“What I will have to do is issue a termination order, and a warrant of possession and Regional Housing is free to enter into a new tenancy with (tenant) unopposed by Egan.”

The tenancy agreement was terminated by McInnes and Mr Egan remains in custody ahead of his next mention in the Bundaberg Courthouse on November 28, 2023.