Hervey Bay’s William Anthony Karran changes plea in manslaughter case

A well known central Qld sportsman has sensationally changed his plea to multiple horrific charges just moments before his trial was to get underway. This is what the court heard.

A 77-year-old lawn bowls player charged with raping, choking and killing his wife has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty just moments before his trial was to begin in the Maryborough Supreme Court.

William Anthony Karran pleaded guilty on Monday to multiple charges including manslaughter, several counts of rape, sexual assault and choking.

William Karran has pleaded guilty to multiple brutalities against his late wife Gail, including manslaughter.

Karran is set to be sentenced in the coming days after Judge Graeme Crow adjourned the matter after dismissing the prospective jurors and thanking them for their service.

In 2018, a year after Gail Karran, 66, died at Hervey Bay Hospital, her husband William Anthony Karran, 77, was charged with manslaughter in relation to her death.

In the wake of his arrest, the Fraser Coast Chronicle revealed the couple was well-known in the Central Queensland lawn bowls community before moving to Hervey Bay.

Following Ms Karran’s death in November 2017, a photo of the couple was posted to the Central Queensland Bowls Memories page with the caption “Very sad to hear of the passing of former Gracemere and Diggers member Gail Karran. Our deepest sympathies go to Bill and the family. RIP”.

The Chronicle will cover the sentencing of Karran later this week.