Brisbane psychiatrist rape trial delayed in eleventh-hour evidence bombshell

A Brisbane psychiatrist's rape case has been delayed until August after prosecutors disclosed crucial evidence at the last minute, despite urgency around a dying witness.

Dr Johannes Christiaan Ernst Scheepers. Picture: Nicola McNamara

The case against a Brisbane psychiatrist charged with rape has been delayed, despite the prosecution pushing for a key witness’s testimony to be heard.

Dr Johannes Christiaan Ernst Scheepers, 71, is charged with one count each of rape and sexual assault.

The incidents are alleged to have occurred in Brisbane’s northern suburbs in early 2024.

Scheepers appeared in person at a committal hearing on Monday, in which the court heard the matter was intended to be committed up to a higher court.

However, the proceedings were adjourned to later in the year after the prosecution disclosed a “significant amount of material” to the defence at the last minute.

This included correspondence between two witnesses – the complainant and a preliminary complaint witness – who were expected to be cross-examined at the committal.

The court heard there was “some relative urgency” for the preliminary complaint witness, who was elderly and terminally ill with cancer, to give evidence.

However, defence barrister Mark McCarthy expressed concerns that hearing that witnesses evidence and adjourning the committal part heard may cause additional delays.

Magistrate Clare Kelly adjourned the committal to August 25 and enlarged Scheepers’ bail.

Scheepers was born in South Africa and has been registered as a medical practitioner in Australia since 2002.

His registration was suspended by the Health Ombudsman in October 2024.