Ipswich trial: Juan Rafael Diaz pleads not guilty to raping teen

An Ipswich man, on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting and indecently treating a child, has pleaded not guilty to raping the teen. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT.

An Ipswich region man has pleaded not guilty to the rape and indecent treatment of a teenager.

Police charged Juan Rafael Diaz with one count of rape and two counts of the indecent treatment of a child after the teen’s parents reported the alleged sexual assault to police.

The court heard that right before the alleged incident, Mr Diaz told the girl she needed to learn how to handle alcohol from a young age before pouring her a shot of tequila.

Crown prosecutor Michelle Parfitt said the teen allegedly took the shot, and despite protesting, Mr Diaz allegedly convinced her to drink more.

Police charged Juan Rafael Diaz with one count of rape and two counts of the indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16.

Prosecutor Parfitt said not long after drinking the alcohol, the teen became dizzy and tired and allegedly went to sleep in a bed.

The court heard of a number of distressing and disturbing events that were alleged to have occurred while the teen was drifting in and of consciousness and allegedly unable to move.

Ms Parfitt said the girl allegedly woke to find a surprised Mr Diaz pulling down her pants while moaning sounds allegedly came from a nearby phone.

“Shhh, shhh,” he’s alleged to have said.

“Such a nice [deleted…] so young and beautiful.”

Juan Rafael Diaz leaving the Ipswich Courthouse with his wife on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Prosecutor Parfitt said during the alleged digital rape, the girl claimed to remember Mr Diaz slapping, biting, and licking a number of her body parts.

The court also heard the girl allegedly reached for a heart-shaped pillow to fight off Mr Diaz but she couldn’t move.

She alleged that she woke from a deep sleep feeling sore and like she had wet herself.

The court heard the teen told her parents the next day after her memory of the alleged incident came flooding back.

When the girl’s parents took the witness stand, Mr Diaz kept his head bowed and avoided eye contact.

During cross-examination, Barrister Scott Neaves questioned both of the girl’s parents about whether or not the teen had seen or been intimate with her boyfriend around the time of the alleged incident.

Both told the court, and Mr Neaves, that was unnecessary information for the trial.

The court was closed to the public while the jury heard evidence from the girl.

Trial verdict HERE.