Promising rugby league player to stand trial on Brisbane rape charge

Two young men, including a promising rugby league player, are set to stand trial accused of raping a woman in a Brisbane unit and allegedly filming parts of the offence.

A man (on the left) accused of rape pictured outside court with supporters. Pic: Glenn Campbell

Two young men, including a promising rugby league player, are set to stand trial accused of raping a woman in a Brisbane CBD unit and allegedly filming parts of the offence on their phones and then sharing the recording with others.

Tyrell Waaka-Rhind and Tory Harrison Bath, both 20, faced a committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mr Waaka-Rhind was an emerging talent for Norths Devils and played as a hooker in the Mal Meninga Cup in 2021, having come through Wavell State High School.

The court heard that the woman and a friend went to Fortitude Valley police station in 2023 and reported an alleged rape.

Detective Senior Constable Camille Mullins took their statements, with the woman alleging the rape occurred in an apartment in Brisbane.

The woman told officers “there were multiple male suspects involved”, the court heard.

The woman was put into a forensic suit to preserve evidence during the initial interview before officers later took her to hospital.

“The complainant had further disclosed that she had been filmed during the offence by a number of the suspects,” Detective Senior Constable Mullins told the court on Monday.

“She was very distraught, and having [her friend] in the room made her more comfortable and able to tell me what had occurred.”

The court heard, concerned that potential evidence on mobile phones may be destroyed if they did not act quickly, officers went to the apartment, detained all occupants, and declared a crime scene.

“Some of the occupants were combative to police at the time,” Detective Senior Constable Mullins told the court.

The woman also gave evidence at the hearing, but this was done in a closed courtroom.

Solicitor Hugh Stitt of Hannay Lawyers – representing Mr Waaka-Rhind – and barrister Sarah Farnden KC – acting for Mr Bath – conceded there was a prima facie case.

Mr Bath was committed to stand trial in Brisbane District Court on six counts of rape, two counts of assault in company, and one count each of recordings in breach of privacy and distributing prohibited visual recordings.

When asked whether he wanted to say anything or enter a plea on Monday afternoon, he replied: “No, your honour.”

Mr Waaka-Rhind was also committed to stand trial in Brisbane District Court on one count each of rape, recordings in breach of privacy and distributing prohibited visual recordings.

When asked whether he wanted to say anything or enter a plea on Monday afternoon, he also replied: “No, your honour.”

Police say all alleged offences for both accused occurred on the same day, at the same location, and involved the same woman.

Their cases will be heard in Brisbane District Court at a later date.