Trial of man accused of rape, indecent dealing, begins in Maryborough court

The opening statements have been made in a trial where a man stands accused of raping his younger brother on multiple occasions.

The trial of a Fraser Coast man accused of raping his younger brother has begun, with opening statements made to the jury.

The trial of a Fraser Coast man accused of raping his younger brother has begun, with opening statements made to the jury.

The man pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape and eight counts of indecent dealing when he appeared in Maryborough District Court.

The court heard the alleged incidents happened between 2003 and 2005 when the boy was 8.

The family was living in the Maryborough area when the alleged abuse took place.

It allegedly began when the man, aged 17 or 18, moved into the home with his brothers.

In an opening statement from the prosecution, the court heard it was thought to be a happy household, but one of the brothers was “keeping a secret”.

While the boys enjoyed playing video games and swimming together, the prosecution alleged that more sinister activities were happening in the downstairs bedroom occupied by the older brother.

The alleged abuse ended when the family moved from the house, the court was told.

The complainant had disclosed the alleged abuse to family members and friends when he was older, before eventually going to police.

An incident in which the younger brother asked his older brother to go for a walk during a family holiday was also presented to the jury during the opening statement.

The younger brother had told the man he “remembered everything” that was done to him, the court heard.

The defendant allegedly apologised and tried to shake his brother’s hand, but the complainant had headbutted him in the face, the court was told.

Another brother recalled seeing the two fighting and the older brother with a split lip, the court heard.

The Crown Prosecutor said the complainant would give evidence as well as other members of the family.

The opening statement from the defence said there were two sides to every story.

The court heard there was no evidence of abuse other than the complainant’s allegations.

He said the fact that the complainant had spoken of the alleged abuse to others before going to police did not prove anything.

The defence barrister said the complainant had waited 10 years before going to police and the jury would hear from the defendant in the course of the trial.

The trial continues on Wednesday.