Grafton man Dwayne Donald Schmidt accused of sexually assaulting girl in 1990s
A Grafton-based horse trainer and former jockey has had his licence suspended after being slapped with historical rape charges. Here’s what we know.
Mid-North Coast
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High-profile Grafton-based horse trainer and former jockey Dwayne Donald Schmidt has had his licence suspended after being slapped with historical rape charges.
Racing NSW confirmed the 56-year-old’s licence was suspended as of 10am on Wednesday.
It came after he declined to make a show cause submission to retain the licence following his arrest on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said Schmidt will have to move about 35 horses from his “sizeable stable” in Grafton.
In January this year, Mid-North Coast Police District detectives launched an investigation after reports were made of two alleged sexual assaults against the same teen girl in 1994 and 1996.
It is alleged the rapes took place in the Port Macquarie area when the alleged victim was 13 and again when she was 15.
Following a lengthy investigation, Schmidt was arrested by police at a Grafton address about 7am on Tuesday, NSW Police states.
Schmidt was taken to Grafton Police Station and charged with sexual intercourse with a person 10 or over and under 16 years, as well as sexual intercourse with person 14 or over and under 16 years.
He was refused bail to face Grafton Local Court on Tuesday, where bail was later granted and the case was adjourned.
Schmidt must adhere to strict bail conditions and he is due to face Port Macquarie Local Court on January 23 next year.
Schmidt was a jockey before he became a successful trainer. He rode his first winner at Royal Randwick in 1984 and won his last race at Taree in 1995.
Schmidt told the John Tapp Racing podcast in 2022 that he quit riding when his health was suddenly threatened by wasting and the use of diuretics.
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