Collinsville man released on bail following alleged rape

Police opposed bail because of the seriousness of the alleged offences and the risk the man might interfere with witnesses, including the victim.

A man charged with rape has been granted bail.

A Collinsville tradie accused of rape has been granted bail despite police opposing his release.

The 56 year old appeared in the dock at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday, following his arrest over the weekend for rape, entering a dwelling with intent to commit rape and trespass.

The court heard the alleged offences occurred at the home of the man’s former sexual partner on Friday, May 21.

Police subsequently arrested the man at a hotel in Bowen.

Police prosecutor Chelsea Pearson said she opposed bail because of the seriousness of the alleged offences, and the risks of the man committing further offences and interfering with witnesses, including the victim.

“It’s a small town, and the victim is known to the defendant, her address is known to the defendant,” Ms Pearson said.

Ms Pearson said the evidence against the tradie was strong.

The evidence included a pretext telephone call, Ms Pearson said.

But defence lawyer Elizabeth Smith said her client intended to “strenuously” defend the allegations, including that he “fled” the area following the alleged offending.

“It was his weekend off … whenever he has a weekend off, he usually leaves Collinsville because there’s not that much to do there,” Ms Smith said.

She said the father-of-two had “pre booked” a couple of nights in a hotel room police found him in and “certainly wasn’t hard to find”.

Ms Smith said her client also denied he made admissions during the pretext phone call.

“He is not accepting that he accepted certain allegations that were put to him,” she said.

Magistrate Ron Muirhead granted bail subject to the condition that he refrain from contacting the victim or attending her address or workplace.

The matter was adjourned for a committal mention at Bowen Magistrates Court in July.