Stepfather in court for threatening violence with weapons, rape, assault

A Tin Can Bay man facing multiple charges including rape and threatening to shoot two children has been remanded in custody.

A man, who allegedly held up a gun and threatened to shoot his two young stepchildren after they witnessed his wrongdoing was refused bail in the Gympie Magistrates Court on Monday.

The man was charged with eight counts of rape, one count of assault with intent to commit rape, threatening violence and discharging firearms.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell told the court the man could easily track down the witnesses because of his relationship with them and that it was too dangerous to release him on bail.

“It’s just too high a risk, your honour,” she said.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan told the court the man had to prove that he wouldn’t interfere with the child witnesses if released on bail.

The man’s defence lawyer admitted the charges were extremely serious but argued the man could wear a tracking anklet bracelet and be subject to a curfew.

His request for bail was denied and he was remanded in custody to the March sittings of Gympie District Court.