Man charged with rape, unlawful sodomy, indecent treatment in Mackay

A man is facing a string of horrific charges including multiple counts of rape, unlawful sodomy and indecent treatment in a regional town.

A man is facing a string of horrific charges including multiple counts of rape, unlawful sodomy and indecent treatment in Mackay.

Under state law he cannot be named at this stage of the court case if at all.

The charges include eight counts of rape, 10 counts of indecent treatment of children aged under 16 years and five counts of unlawful sodomy.

It is alleged the offending occurred between 1998 and 2002 in the Mackay region.

The man, aged in his 60s, is further charged with 14 counts indecent treatment of children under 16 that include allegations of exposing, indecent films, and procuring a child to commit an offence.

He is also charged with one count of being a person who attempts to commit rape.

Under Queensland law, anyone charged with a prescribed sexual offence, which includes rape, attempted rape, assault with intent to commit rape and sexual assault, cannot be named until matters have been committed to the district court, and only then if it will not identify any alleged victims.

Defence solicitor Geoff Govey, of Taylors Solicitors, told Mackay Magistrates Court during a brief mention on Wednesday a different firm had represented his client until he stepped in.

Mr Govey said he had a conference organised with his client, who was currently on bail, in the next week.

He asked for an adjournment until after that time to be able to inform the court what will happen next.

Matters were adjourned until mid July for mention. The man’s appearance was excused and he will not have to appear at the next mention.