South Burnett man appeared in court for alleged rape, sexual assault of teenage girlfriend

A man charged with a string of sexual offences against his teenage girlfriend, including rape, sexual assault and making child exploitation material, has appeared in court.

A man charged with a string of sexual offences against his teenage girlfriend appeared in Kingaroy District Court to vary his bail conditions, which barred him from contacting any child under the age of 16.

Prosecutor Christa Nicola said the Crown was currently pursuing five charges, which include rape and sexual assault, which were alleged to have occurred while the defendant and complainant were in a relationship.

Ms Nicola said the alleged offending began when the complainant was 16-years-old and ceased by the time she was 17. The defendant was 18-years-old at the time.

Ms Nicola said the defendant was currently facing two counts of rape (domestic violence offence), making child exploitation material, the indecent treatment of a child under 16, and a sexual assault with circumstances of aggravation.

The defendant was represented by Catherine Cuthbert.

Ms Cuthbert said the bail conditions her client wished to vary related to a curfew and a specific reporting condition, namely he must not have contact with a child under 16.

The defendant has no prior criminal history.

Judge Glen Cash QC altered the defendant’s bail conditions, revoking the curfew and the no contact condition.

“The idea of bail is to allow someone not to be in custody pending their trial, but on conditions that are directed toward preventing a failure to appear or some risk of committing an offence,” Judge Cash said.

“As we've discussed, the allegations, even if true, don’t suggest that he presents himself as a real danger to people under 16.”

The defendant entered a fresh bail undertaking to appear before the next district court sitting in June.