Gold coast’s John Douglas Lui found guilty of Rockhampton rape

A ‘charming liar’ found guilty of raping a female in a Rockhampton motel room more than 30 years ago went on to work with indigenous youth at the Gold Coast and coach children’s sporting teams. Warning, graphic content

Gold Coast’s John Douglas Lui found guilty of Rockhampton rape

A ‘charming liar’ found guilty of raping a female in a Rockhampton motel room about 35 years ago went on to work with indigenous youth at the Gold Coast and coach children’s sporting teams.

John Douglas Lui, 57, was sentenced to five years prison after being found guilty by a jury of rape following a four-day trial last week.

Lui, who was one of eight children raised in Sarina, had denied the offending for decades, despite many people knowing Lui was in the company of the victim at the time of the offence.

The court heard Lui, who was in his early 20s at the time, picked the victim up and carried out non-consensual sexual acts at a park before taking her to the motel and raping her.

Crown prosecutor Ryan Godfrey said the cross examination of the victim, who was a virgin at the time of the rape, caused her further distress as she was called a liar and the defence team put two motives for alleged fabrication.

“This is an offence that developed from kissing, touching, all non-consensual.

“The complainant made her lack of consent to the actions repeatedly clear to Lui. He did not care.

“He told her to relax and go with it.”

Lui told her to lie down on the bed of the motel room, pushing her down when she didn’t comply and continued touching her, removing her clothes and making her touch is genitals.

Judge Jeff Clarke said this was a shameful offence compounded by Lui’s denials.

“She was not sexually experienced at all,” he said.

“You told her to keep it a secret …

Defence barrister James McNab said his client was one of eight children whose father worked in the railways in Queensland and mother was a cleaner at a Sarina school.

He said his client, who had lived on the Gold Coast for 21 years, worked with “marginalised indigenous youth” through Kalwun Development Organisations after a 23-year career with tobacco company Philip Morris, but because of this matter, he was unable to continue working at Kalwun and went on to work as a kitchenhand.

He said Lui had completed a diploma in Child Youth Family interventions and had coached an under 14s girls soccer team, an under 12s boys basketball team and member of both the North Burleigh and Burleigh Heads surf life saving clubs between 2005 to 2018.

Mr McNab said his client had been married to his wife Maria for 24 years, had known each other for six years before, and their children are now adults – one 21 years old and one 19.

He said Lui, who was born on Thursday Island, lost his mother in car accident in 1983 and his father to cancer in 1991.

Judge Clarke said Lui was an “arrogant, self-important narcissist”, who referred to himself as a valued employee working with indigenous children.

He said Lui “lied with ease and charm” while giving evidence, even though he contradicted himself.

Judge Clarke said the victim abused alcohol, was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, had low self esteem and trust issues as a result of this traumatic experience, and had suicidal ideation.

“She lost all respect for herself and those around her,” he said.

Judge Clarke did not make any further orders in relation to the sentence, but Queensland laws are that a person convicted in a trial must serve at least of half of their prison term.