Jehovah’s Witness member in Sunshine Coast court

The lawyer representing a Sunshine Coast religious member, accused of horrendous sexual acts including incest, has claimed the case will “collapse” as the next step in the matter is revealed in court.

The next step in a Sunshine Coast religious leader’s case has been shared in court as the lawyer representing him revealed he thinks the matter will “collapse”.

The next step in a Jehovah’s witness’s case has been shared in court as the lawyer representing him revealed he thinks the matter will “collapse”.

The 61-year-old Mooloolaba man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces 54 charges including rape, incest, sexual assault, torture and procuring a sexual act under false pretences.

His matter was mentioned on January 20, where it was revealed three witness statements were outstanding from the brief of evidence.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said one witness had moved overseas and the police were unable to obtain their statement.

Lawyer Adrian Hawkes said an application to vary his client’s bail conditions would be heard in the Supreme Court that afternoon because of the delay in the brief of evidence.

The matter has been before the courts since August, he said, but he thought the case was “very weak”.

“ … Unlike what the police told this court during the bail application process way back on the 29th of August, I think it was, the case is very weak and, I say, is going to collapse in front of my friends,” he said.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist ordered the brief of evidence be finalised before February 17, 2023.

The matter will return to court on February 10 for a directions hearing.