Rape and sexual assault allegations against David James Champion on-track for trial
The high-profile talent agent is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of rape of a male singer at a regional Queensland hotel in 2013.
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Rape and sexual assault allegations against a high-profile talent agent for well-known Australian singers are on-track to go to trial, but the case has been delayed until next year.
David James Champion, 63, is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of rape of a male singer at a regional Queensland hotel in 2013.
Mr Champion has managed Dami Im, Shannon Noll, Samantha Jade, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Reece Mastin, Kate DeAraugo, Stan Walker, David Campbell, and Toby Allen.
He has been in the industry since the 1980s and used to run a company called Parade Management, which is now defunct, but he was also long attached to Sony Music Artists.
The three-count indictment against Mr Champion was heard in Brisbane District Court for the first time this week. He was represented by top criminal barrister Craig Eberhardt.
The court heard there is a large volume of witness statements to go through and further legal submissions will be made on pre-trial issues.
Judge Paul Smith set the case down for a full day hearing in the District Court on January 30 next year to deal with pre-trial matters and sort out any remaining legal issues.
Judge Smith ordered the defence legal team to file their submissions by December 1, and the Crown must file its reply by January 10.
No trial date has been set as yet.
Mr Champion was charged in March 2022, but is yet to formally enter a plea to the charges.
He remains on bail, with his conditions including that he is banned from having contact with his alleged victim, but he is allowed to reside in Sydney in the meantime.
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