Case of high-profile man accused to rape returns to court

A key decision surrounding the contents of a mobile phone is still pending in a rape case involving a high-profile man.

A media scrum from across the state has descended on Toowoomba again for the brief mention of an alleged rape case that involves a “prominent man”.

The accused man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has not been required to appear since the charges were first mentioned before the Toowoomba Magistrate Court in January 2023.

Queensland law prevents the identification of those charged with sexual assault until they are committed to stand trial – a process that can take several years.

During a call over at the Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, August 9, the man’s lawyer Rowan King appeared via phone.

Magistrate Louise Shepard asked Crown prosecutor Sarah Dreghorn for a progress update, as the man’s lawyer asked for police to hand over the complainant’s phone contents two weeks ago.

Ms Dreghorn said her office was still considering the request and expected a decision to be made next week.

Ms Shepard said she would schedule the case on August 23, for the decision to be provided to the court.

Originally published as Case of high-profile man accused to rape returns to court