Ballogie man accused of multiple counts of rape to be tested for sleep disorder

A man facing charges of rape and attempted rape will undergo a special study to determine if he suffers from a rare sleeping disorder in which people engage in sexual behaviour while unconscious.

Electrodes on man's head with brain waves in background

A South Burnett man facing multiple rape charges could have suffered from a sleep disorder that left him unaware of what he was doing, his lawyers have claimed.

The legal team for the 35-year-old Ballogie man, charged with one count of attempted rape and two counts of rape, is pursuing the possible defence of sexsomnia.

During the July 21 District Court hearing in Kingaroy, the court heard the defendant would undergo a sleep study in the coming months to determine whether he suffered from the rare condition.

A New South Wales-based expert has been engaged by his legal team to assess the results of the study and provide a report.

The court heard the man was in custody and would likely be transferred to the Royal Brisbane Hospital to undertake the study under guard.

A South Burnett man facing multiple rape charges could have suffered from a sleep disorder that left him unaware of what he was doing, his lawyers have claimed.

His lawyer, who appeared by phone, asked for an adjournment until September because his client was on medication that could conflict with the results, and they had to wait another 50 days before they could even start the study.

No pleas were entered in relation to the charges.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, sexsomnia is a sleep disorder during which someone engages in sexual behaviours while they are unconscious.

The matter was adjourned for mention in Kingaroy District Court during the September sittings.