Kingaroy woman allegedly raped with a knife, airlifted to Brisbane with ‘potentially life-threatening injuries’

Horrific details have emerged in Kingaroy court detailing the alleged rape of woman which left her so badly injured she had to be flown to Brisbane for treatment.

A Kingaroy man alleged to have brutally raped a woman over a drug debt has shouted his innocence in a courtroom after he was denied bail.

The 58-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Monday, May 31, charged with one count each of rape, grievous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, producing dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs, possessing drug utensils and possessing anything used in the connection with a crime.

The man had been held in the Kingaroy watch-house since his arrest Friday, May 28, following the horrific discovery of a woman so badly injured, doctors believed she could have died if she had not been treated when she was.

Details revealed in court by police paint a disturbing picture, with the woman alleged to have attended the man‘s house on Friday evening to buy drugs.

Police allege what occurred instead was a horrific and brutal attack, which left the woman with “abhorrent injuries”.

Police allege the man anally-raped the woman with a knife or sharp object, causing injuries that were “potentially life-threatening”.

Police prosecutor Pepe Gangemi said the police were yet to identify exactly what used to cause the injuries.

“We don’t know (what was used) all we know is it is likely, (the doctors) say, a knife or sharp object,” sergeant Gangemi said.

A summary of a police notebook statement, read to the court by magistrate Andrew Sinclair, revealed a witness discovered the woman at about 7pm close to the defendant‘s house.

“She asked for help, she said she was bleeding, she said she wasn’t bashed … she said she was (raped),” Magistrate Sinclair said.

An ambulance was called for the alleged victim, who had bloodstains on her clothing.

Paramedics reported she had very low blood pressure and it was difficult to stabilise her.

The court heard she was able to give a first name which was the same as the defendants, along with the address of the defendant‘s house but could not give precise details of what happened.

After first being taken to Kingaroy Hospital, she was subsequently flown to Brisbane for further treatment.

Sergeant Gangemi told the court the prosecution case was strong, and the alleged offence was “at the highest end” of offending.

“The victim has suffered simply abhorrent injuries and a significant mental assault from what has occurred to her,” sergeant Gangemi said.

“She would have bled out, the doctors say, had she not been discovered and treated.”

Police also allegedly uncovered 600 grams of cannabis at the property during a crime scene warrant search, however the prosecutor noted there was suspicion the defendant had attempted to clean the house.

“There was some time between the offence and the entry and search of the premises under the crime scene warrant, we have the suspicion there has been some sanitising of the area,” sergeant Gangemi said.

“There was obviously the blood located, but (the defendant) presented fairly cleanly.”

The defendant was represented in court by duty lawyer Jay Rose, who told the court limited evidence provided for her to be able to make submissions on the strength of the case.

But she submitted that the risk to the community could be ameliorated by the defendant residing with his sister in Toowoomba, along with strict reporting conditions.

It was also revealed the defendant had dated history, including an escape from lawful custody in 1984, an indecent assault in 1993 and a common assault in 1994.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair refused the defendant‘s bail, citing unacceptable risk to the community if the alleged offence could happen “more or less out of the blue”.

“I‘ve reached the conclusion that he does pose an unacceptable risk due to the nature and savagery of the attack, and the amount of injuries caused, the timing and nature of the cause of the injuries over a short period of time – for no apparent reason except perhaps a drug debt,“ Magistrate Sinclair said.

“A young woman is bleeding from the anus and losing blood pressure enough to be taken to RBWH.”

Upon hearing he would remain behind bars, the defendant interjected, calling out “I don’t see how you can do that”.

As he was led out of the courtroom he continued to shout his innocence.

“So much for innocent until proven guilty hey? I’m innocent, I didn’t do none of them offences,” he said.

The case was adjourned until August 16 for a committal mention.