Craig William Hinde jailed for sexual assault, common assault

The owner of an “isolated” Sunshine Coast rescue farm was “stressed” over an $80,000 tax debt when he subjected a woman to a terrifying ordeal in his motorcycle shed, a court has heard. *Distressing.

Craig William Hinde reached over the woman’s shoulder and grabbed her breast, saying “this is what you want”. Photo: social media

A man who met with a woman on his isolated property grabbed her throat and subjected her to horror sex acts before she could escape.

Craig William Hinde pleaded guilty in the Maroochydore District Court on March 8 to two counts of sexual assault and one of common assault.

Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero told the court Hinde and the woman had met each other three times prior through a shared interest and the woman had visited his home to return something on July 3, 2022.

She said the woman had suspected Hinde was under the influence of a drug when he took her to his motorcycle shed which was described as Judge Glen Cash as “isolated”.

The court was told Hinde had reached over the woman’s shoulder and grabbed her breast, telling her “this is what you want”.

He grabbed her throat and tightened his grip the more the woman struggled, the court heard.

Ms Olivero told the court he had covered the woman’s mouth and then shoved his fingers inside her mouth.

Judge Cash said Hinde told her again it was what she wanted and said “I’ve got control of you now”.

He attempted to kiss her but the woman turned away and Hinde instead licked her from ear to her chin, the court heard.

Hinde had let her go and showed her a tin of cannabis before he pulled the woman towards him.

Judge Cash said Hinde “crudely” asked for oral sex from the woman, which she refused.

He then forced her onto her knees by the shoulders, unbuckled his pants and pressed his penis against her face, the court heard.

Hinde demanded she open her mouth and slapped her in the face when she did not comply, Ms Olivero told the court.

Judge Cash said Hinde had then told the woman they would sleep together.

Ms Olivero said Hinde had “fishhooked” the woman in the mouth when she tried to leave and she bit his fingers, to which he threatened to hit her.

When the woman finally escaped, she drove away as he shouted at her to stop, the court was told.

Ms Olivero said the woman “feared he was going to rape her”.

Defence barrister Mark Dixon told the court his client had received mental health diagnoses in the past and had been medicated for ADHD, OCD and bipolar disorder.

He said Hinde often stopped taking his medication and began consuming alcohol at times, which had been the case during the time of the offence.

The court heard Hinde ran a rescue farm and began feeling financial stress after racking up $80,000 in tax debt.

He previously worked in shipping, at one point running his own furniture and boat-making business and had since retired.

Mr Dixon said Hinde had been medicated and alcohol-free since early 2023.

Judge Cash sentenced him to 18 months' in jail, to be suspended after six months for a period of 18 months.