Karli Eterna Deity in Redcliffe court over alleged torture of elderly business partner

A Redcliffe mental health officer has applied for bail on torture and assault charges, stating the elderly victim’s serious injuries are a result of a fall down the stairs.

Karli Eterna Deity appeared via videolink in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on November 22, 2023, to apply for bail. Picture: Facebook/Karlie Archangel Deity

A Moreton Bay mental health officer and charity fundraiser has denied torturing and assaulting her business partner, saying the serious injuries to his body are a result of a fall down slippery stairs.

Karli Eterna Deity appeared via videolink in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on November 22, 2023, to apply for bail, charged with five counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault person over 60 and torture.

Court documents reveal that between November 13 and 19, 2023 at an Oxley Avenue address in Scarborough, Deity tortured Scott Alexander Cameron.

Documents allege between November 13-16, 2023, Deity assaulted Scott Alexander Cameron, a person over 60 years of age and also assaulted him five times between November 14-15, 2023.

Emergency services were called to the Oxley Avenue property to reports an elderly man required medical assistance.

Karli Eterna Deity appeared via videolink in the Redcliffe Magistrates Court on November 22, 2023, to apply for bail. Picture: Facebook/Karlie Archangel Deity

Upon arrival Mr Cameron was allegedly located with significant injuries and taken to Redcliffe Hospital for treatment.

The address was declared a crime scene.

Deity’s lawyer Andrew Stewart told the court some detail about the circumstances surrounding Deity’s alleged offending.

Mr Stewart said there was apparently a leak upstairs in the house which Deity was attending to.

“He had been at the bottom of the stairs initially, he got in her way, she bumped into him and fell into warm water,” Mr Stewart said.

“She (Deity) then rushed upstairs with water everywhere trying to prevent it from coming through the ceiling, at which point he came up the stairs and unfortunately fell down the stairs.

“She denies pushing him, she denies any of the allegations she was punching and kicking him at the bottom of the stairs.

“When she was interviewed by police she did accept she grabbed his ear at one stage because she was asking for his mobile phone, he wouldn’t give it to her.

“While her charges are serious, the hurdles for bail are not insurmountable.”

Opposing bail, police prosecutor Greg Marning said police were concerned Mr Cameron may be approached by the defendant while matters were still before the court.

“It seems because of a business relationship, it’s close and it’s continuing, there may be an attempt to discuss this case with the defendant.

“Police state in page two of seven that the defendant is accused of financial and psychological control, which has resulted in a considerable loss of money.

“QPS is concerned further offences against the victim may occur which will influence the changing of these charges or some form of retribution.

“And we don’t think it’s possible to stop contact.

“With the seriousness of the charges and remember your Honour, the allegation that the span of the first charge, torture, is over six days.

“That is significant and is something that needs to be taken into account before anyone is given bail in a matter of this seriousness.”

Mr Stewart told the court Deity and the alleged victim have been acquainted for five years and run a business together called Archangel Enterprises, which oversaw a number of activities including mental health work, life coaching and assistance in raising money for charity aid.

“In relation to the allegation in the bail objection about further charges because of the use of the credit cards, the credit card she uses is a joint credit card and she’s confident there’ll be no further charges,” Mr Stewart said.

“The relationship is not sexual.

“She tells me advances have been made from the complainant which she hasn’t rejected but has neither succumbed to if I can put it that way.

“He has told her that he wants to get married, she has said no and the relationship has continued on that basis for some time.”

The court heard Deity doesn’t have a significant history of offending, her latest entry back in 2012.

Mr Stewart told the court her last entries related to dishonesty offences and contravening police directions and protection notices, where she sent a text message to a former partner.

When speaking about the victim’s injuries allegedly at the hands of Deity, Mr Stewart accepted the pictures are significant but there is nothing at this stage to confirm those injuries aren’t a result of a fall down the stairs.

In making his judgement, Magistrate Ross Woodford said his major concern was the safety of the victim, asking Mr Stewart if Deity could live at an alternative address if she was granted bail.

After talks with Deity, Mr Stewart told the court the 42-year-old could live at a Strathpine address.

“I do take into account the serious nature of the victim and injuries in hospital, on his head, arms neck and his body,” Mr Woodford said.

“The knee injuries are consistent with a fall down the stairs

“My main concern is the victim fears for his safety

“Her history of violent offences is limited.”

Mr Woodford granted Deity bail, on the conditions she wears an ankle monitor at all times, reports to the Pine Rivers Police Station twice a week, resides at Strathpine and has no contact with the complainant.

The matter was adjourned to January 24, 2024, for further mention.