Faridoon Khaksar, 24, pleads guilty to raping woman in carpark near Coffs Harbour pub

A young Coffs man free on bail in Sydney has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman after they danced at a pub. Here’s what we know.

The Coast Hotel on the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour.

For more than two years, a young Coffs Harbour man denied luring an intoxicated woman from a pub to a nearby carpark and raping her.

But Faridoon Khaksar has now pleaded guilty in Coffs Harbour District Court to one count of sexual intercourse without consent – rape.

The refugee from Pakistan previously entered not-guilty pleas to four counts of rape and three counts of sexually touching another person without consent.

Faridoon Khaksar. Picture: Facebook

It was heard in the court in March that charges against Khaksar were linked to two alleged attacks on separate women from early in 2022.

Khaksar spent 22 months behind bars remanded in custody at Clarence Correctional Centre after his arrest in September of that year. He was released on bail on August 26.

The Office of The Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has not proceeded with remaining charges, court documents show.

It was heard in the court on Thursday that Khaksar was a “pod sweeper” while in custody.

Since being released on bail, Khaksar has lived in Sydney and obtained a truck licence.

Khaksar’s defence lawyer told the court his client had “not been game” to find a full-time job while his court case remained unresolved.

The Coast Hotel on the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour.

The rapist preyed on the young woman known to him in a carpark near The Coast Hotel on Moonee Street.

Judge Michael McHugh said Khaksar and the woman had been dancing “for some time” and he placed his hands on her hips. The victim was “very drunk” and Khaksar led her from the hotel, as she asked “where are we going?”.

Judge McHugh said Khaksar drove the woman to the location of the offending. She returned to the pub and made “an immediate complaint” after the rape.

Khaksar came to Australia from Pakistan in 2014 and his exact birthdate is unknown. A “convenient date” was recorded for official purposes and he is said to be aged 24.

He played soccer in Coffs Harbour for years and lived “a blameless life” until the rape, Khaksar’s lawyer said.

Faridoon Khaksar. Picture: Facebook

Judge McHugh told the court “another allegation of serious sexual assault” was made against Khaksar “some time later”, but charges did not proceed.

Following Khaksar’s guilty plea, the ODPP filed a detention application asking the court for him to be remanded in custody again while awaiting sentencing.

But Khaksar’s lawyer argued his client had already spent 22 months behind bars and that he had strong prospects for rehabilitation.

Judge McHugh said he entered the court thinking that he would grant the application, but he could not say for sure whether time served would exceed the sentence eventually handed down.

The judge said special consideration may need to be given during sentencing following Khaksar’s challenging childhood in Pakistan.

Judge McHugh said the allegations were “serious” and involved penetration with ejaculation, but he denied the application “with some hesitation”.

The case was adjourned to February 21 and Khaksar’s bail was continued.

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