Kingaroy court: Sex abuse accused’s mental capacity under review

Lawyers for a 46-year-old man charged with sexually abusing multiple children will seek a report into his capacity to stand trial, a court heard.

A South Burnett man charged with sexually abusing multiple children over a six year period might not be fit to stand trial.

A South Burnett man charged with sexually abusing multiple children over a six-year period will have his capacity to stand trial reviewed, a court heard.

The 46-year-old faces nine charges, including three counts of rape, one count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, one count of possessing child exploitation material through a hidden network of anonymising service, and multiple counts of indecent treatment of children.

He has been released on bail and did not appear in court this week, but was represented by defence barrister Tristan Carlos.

The court heard the man has reportedly been diagnosed with an “intellectual impairment” and was on a disability pension, and his legal team are seeking a report into his capacity to stand trial.

The court heard he had been diagnosed with an “intellectual impairment” and received a disability pension, and his legal team was seeking a report into his capacity to stand trial.

An initial application for funding to acquire the report was refused by legal aid, however Mr Carlos said they would be asking for a review of the decision.

The court heard there were four alleged child victims, now aged between 12 and 17.

No pleas have been entered in relation to any of the charges.

The matter was adjourned for a mention in Kingaroy District Court on Wednesday, July 30.