Sunshine Coast Jehovah’s Witness figure charged with rape, sexual assault

A Sunshine Coast Jehovah’s Witness figure who allegedly used his position in the church to sexually assault young men has been arrested by police. WARNING: GRAPHIC

A former Sunshine Coast religious figure has been arrested on 54 sex charges against four alleged victims.

The Jehovah’s Witness follower, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was arrested over the weekend on dozens of charges including 21 counts of rape, 17 of sexual assaults, 13 of procuring sexual act by false pretence, torture, common assault and incest.

Sunshine Coast detectives allege the Sunshine Coast man used his position of religious standing within the Jehovah’s Witness community to allegedly sexually assault young men between 2008 and 2018.

The alleged offences relate to four men aged in their late teens to early 20s.

On August 28, 2022 police executed a search warrant and took the man into custody.

He applied for bail in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday August 29, 2022.

Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman told the court the man’s church was a part of was a “very insular organisation”.

The man was arrested on 54 charges by Sunshine Coast CIB.

Sergeant Ruddiman said the man was financially wealthy and held international passports, with police information suggesting he was in the process of moving his assets overseas.

The court was told by Sergeant Ruddiman the man was a very high flight risk.

Sergeant Ruddiman said text messages between the man and another man who detectives say had an “intimate relationship” together, said police had tried to contact him over allegations from a complainant.

“The defendant states ‘I think this individual has gone to the dark side, don’t talk him unless I talk to him first’,” Sergeant Ruddiman quoted.

Police alleged in court further conversations in texts relate to the man leaving Australia long term.

The court heard there were videos recorded of the alleged incidents and police said they were concerned if he was granted bail he would dispose of evidence.

Police say there were four alleged victims.

Defence barrister Kelvin Pearson said his client was a married father who ran his own business on the Sunshine Coast.

The court was told by Mr Pearson the man owned real estate but contested that he was a wealthy man, and would adhere to strict bail conditions.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said there needed to be more “clarity” on the man’s bail conditions, especially in terms of not talking to witnesses of the alleged incidents from the church over a 10-year period.

Mr Madsen said police had a strong case and quoted several parts of the bail objection to the court, including a meeting on August 29, 2022 where the complainant confronted the man and said he allegedly “sexually assaulted” him.

“The defendant says it was all about energy and about making the victim strong … the defendant freely recalls certain events discussing the videos that he recorded on the incidents,” Mr Madsen quoted.

Mr Madsen he wanted to see a draft order on reasonable conditions and also asked for certain bits of evidence spoke of in the bail affidavit.

The man had his matters adjourned to Wednesday August 31, 2022.