Man charged with one count of rape over alleged incident at Gladstone region caravan park

The alleged victim, an eight-year-old girl, said the man’s alleged actions at a Gladstone region caravan park made her feel gross and as if she wanted to throw up.

An alleged child rapist was denied bail in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday, with an experienced prosecutor labelling his alleged offending as ‘extremely concerning’.

The man, 31, is charged with one count of rape which originated from an alleged incident at a Gladstone region caravan park on October 7, 2021.

It is alleged around 5pm that day, police received a triple-0 call from the victim child’s mother who stated when she arrived home her eight-year-old daughter allegedly told her that her ex-partner, the defendant, put his penis in her mouth and the girl had no pants or underwear on when she arrived home.

The girl’s mother allegedly yelled at the defendant to get out and he left.

At 5.15 police from the Child Protection Investigation Unit attended the caravan park and spoke to the victim.

The girl told plain clothes police she was allegedly outside playing with her brothers when she got thirsty and went inside for a drink.

The girl allegedly stated her “daddy” told her to go to the toilet, and then he allegedly started assaulting her.

The girl then clarified that she meant the defendant put his penis in her mouth.

The girl allegedly told police it was gross and made her want to throw up.

The defendant was located and arrested by police around 6pm and transported to Gladstone watch house where his bail was denied.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Carl Spargo told Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead the defendant’s alleged behaviour was “extremely concerning”.

“He has also made admissions in relation to having the desire to further this type of activity with any type of young women or girls,” he said.

“In relation to his proposed bail address there is a public swimming pool and a special school nearby.

“Given the purgatory nature of this offence, having any sort of proximity to any school, especially one where there is special needs, would be completely unacceptable.

“It is my submission, Your Honour, that there is an unacceptable risk that this behaviour will continue if he is granted bail and as such should be refused.”

The defendant’s duty lawyer Rio Ramos said her client had a very limited criminal history of only three entries.

“There is nothing in his history to suggest that he has been convicted of the allegations before the court,” she said.

“It is still hearsay evidence, of course, he is still disputing the charge and he should be granted an opportunity for bail.

“There is a length of time before the charge becomes indicted before the District Court, that is a period of time he will spend in custody if the matter was to go to trial.”

Mr Muirhead told the defendant he was facing a serious charge and that his plea of not guilty would be decided by a higher court at a later date.

“It appears to me that the prosecution has a strong case against you,” he said.

“There are concerns that if you are granted bail you may not even appear in court and as well you may commit other offences and as well endanger the safety and welfare of other persons, namely the child, or interfere with witnesses, namely the child.”

Mr Muirhead ruled in favour of the prosecution and refused the man’s bail application.

A brief of evidence was ordered by Ms Ramos and the matter will be heard again on December 6 in Gladstone Magistrates Court.