Former Capras player Brandon Roberts in court charged with rape

A former Central Queensland Capras and Ipswich Jets player and infantry soldier has been charged with child grooming and two counts of rape.

Former Central Queensland Capras player Brandon Roberts.

A former Central Queensland Capras and Ipswich Jets player and infantry soldier has been charged with child grooming and two counts of rape.

Brandon Shane Roberts made his first appearance in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 11, where he was granted bail.

Mr Roberts’ matters were adjourned to Beenleigh Magistrates Court on September 25.

He is charged with one count of using the internet to procure children under 16 and intentionally meeting or going to meet a child, one count of entering a dwelling with intent and two counts of rape.

The 26-year-old aspiring NRL player was born in Canberra and played with the Normanby Hounds in the Brisbane Rugby League A Grade before he made his debut with the Central Queensland Capras on April 24, 2021.

He won the A Grade best back award and was also named in the Brisbane Rugby League A Grade Calling All Sports team of the year on the wing.

Mr Roberts, who was in the Australian Army for four years from the age of 17 and was deployed to Iraq, was in the Capras top 10 scorers earlier this year before he moved to the Ipswich Jets.

The winger was named the Round 22 Articulate Framing Player’s Player on August 21.

However, the Jets have stated he is no longer with the team.