Logan grandfather faces court over historic rape charges

A Logan man said he was “bored” while facing court charged with raping his granddaughter — accusations that arose after a school lecture made the girl realise the nature of what he had allegedly done to her.

A man has faced court accused of sexually abusing his granddaughter. Picture: FILE

A 16-year-old girl will be forced to sit through a traumatic cross examination after going to police when she allegedly made a heartbreaking realisation during a school lecture.

A Logan man faced Beenleigh Magistrates Court, Thursday, January 12, charged with one count of rape and three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 — alleged offences against his then 10-year-old granddaughter when she would stay the night at his house.

The court heard that in 2021, a sexual-education presentation by police at the girl’s Logan school led her to realise what he had allegedly done to her was a criminal offence.

The court heard the offences happened between January, 1, 2015 and December, 31, 2016, when she was aged nine and 10 years old.

When interviewed by police on January, 23, 2021, she recalled what allegedly happened, the court heard.

“I would generally sleep over (with another girl) … it would probably be around nine or 10 at night. We would be sitting in her room watching a movie when he would come in,” she told police.

“He would put his hand under the blanket … he would just put his hand through my underwear.”

She also told police that a few years later, at family barbecues, he would give her large sums of money. She told police she was about 12 or 13 years old at the time.

“We’d go to family barbecues and he’d just grab me and hand me $100 or sometimes $150,” she told police.

“He never gave my siblings money unless it was their birthday.

“He would hug me and touch my butt when no one was looking … he’d try to kiss me but I always dodged it.”

When asked why it took her years to report the alleged abuse to any adults, the court heard she told police she thought it was normal.

“I thought it was normal life because that’s what happened,” she told police.

“I didn’t know what to do or what to think about … I thought it was normal and fine.”

Prosecutor Timothy Wise told the court it would be traumatic for her to be cross examined in court at a later date.

Defence lawyer Chris Nyst told the court they wanted to cross examine the girl because the times and dates she gave police when interviewed were not specific enough to prepare for trial.

The grandfather could be overheard during a break in proceedings telling his lawyer he was bored and wanted to leave.

Magistrate Mark Howden later excused the man because of his poor health and ongoing coughing.

Mr Howden eventually ruled that he would allow the cross examination of the alleged victim at a later date.

He told the court there could have been more questions asked as to the circumstances of the rape and indecent treatment allegations.

“There were many inconsistencies,” he said.

“The language used in the interview could lead to different interpretations.

“It is in the interest of justice that the precise nature be determined at a committal stage by way of cross examination.”

The matter was adjourned to Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, December 18, 2023 for a committal mention.