John Joseph Beltrame’s sex assault trial halted as charges dropped

An ex truck driver, previously jailed over the strangling death of a prostitute and for strangling a sex shop worker, has avoided trial on new charges after they were dropped at the last minute. Read why:

John Joseph Beltrame, 59, pleaded not guilty in the Kingaroy District Court to two counts of sexual assault against a young man in early 2023 in Mackay. The charges were subsequently dropped.

A former Nanango truck driver, previously jailed for the strangling death of a teen prostitute and for strangling a sex shop worker, had new sexual assault charges sensationally dismissed at the last minute on Monday.

John Joseph Beltrame, 59, pleaded not guilty in the Kingaroy District Court to two counts of sexual assault against a young man in early 2023 in Mackay.

After the jury was sworn in, Crown Prosecutor Hamish McIntyre announced that the complainant was unlikely to testify and the two sexual assault charges were withdrawn.

Beltrame appeared jovial and smiled once it was revealed the charges were to be dropped, then pleaded guilty to other charges including two counts of supplying dangerous drugs, and 12 counts of failing to comply with reporting.

His lawyer said Beltrame suffered a permanent brain injury from when he was struck by a vehicle when crossing the road with his mother at the age of four.

John Joseph Beltrame, 59, pleaded not guilty to the two charges that he sexually assaulting a young man in early 2023 in Mackay. The charges have now been dropped.

The court heard there was “nothing sinister” about the charges and he had either forgotten or wasn’t sure what to report as part of his probation obligations due to his brain injury.

Judge Vicki Loury KC agreed the offending was “low level”.

Beltrame was convicted but not further punished for the drug offences.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment for the remaining charges but given credit for time already served which meant he was immediately released from custody having already served nine months.

Convictions were recorded.