Southern Downs man pleads not guilty in Warwick District Court to 11 charges including rape, threatening with violence

A trial has begun for a Southern Downs man who allegedly committed ‘repeated’ abuse against three young boys over a two-year period, while threatening to kill them if they ever told anyone. WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT.

A Southern Downs man is on trial in Warwick District Court accused of committing a series of horrifying sexual assaults against three young boys over a two-year period.

The man – who cannot be named for legal reasons – pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape, one charge of unlawful sexual relations with a minor under 16, assault with intent to rape and two charges of intent to alarm with a weapon with the alleged offending occurring over a period of about two years in the Southern Downs area.

During the Crown’s opening address, the jury was told there were three complaints involved and were subjected to alleged “habitual sexual offending” as well as threats of violence to keep quiet.

“If (you) ever tell anyone about this, I will kill one of you,” Crown prosecutor Tegan Little said as she began her opening address to the jury.

Ms Little told the court that the alleged offending was of a repeated nature, occurring in a period of about two years, and one of the victims told police he was offended against at least 30 times.

A majority of the alleged offending against the three boys took place at the family home, but Ms Little said they also allegedly happened in public, such as when the man would go to the dump with one of the boys.

The Crown detailed the alleged acts the man committed against the boys included penetration and oral sex, as well as violent threats to ensure they didn’t talk.

The jury was told of an alleged incident in which one of the boys saw the man retrieve a gun from a hole in the ceiling of the bathroom.

“The defendant approached (the boy), while holding the gun, and told him ‘if you tell anyone, this will be at your head,” Ms Little said.

On another occasion, the Crown alleged that the man showed off a gun and told them “if they told anyone about the offending they would shoot them”.

It was only after the matter was referred to police and the boys were questioned that the alleged offences came to light, two years later.

Defence barrister Wesley Seewald during his opening address told the court the man “rejects the allegations” and told the jury there were several things the Crown didn’t have to prove such as the ages of the children.

“He is presumed to be innocent, until and unless you are persuaded he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.

The court was closed for the remainder of Monday to allow the alleged victims to give evidence. The trial will continue before Judge Dennis Lynch KC on Tuesday.