Warren McCorriston, extradited to Hunter on historic sex assault charges, also accused of kidnap
On Monday Warren McCorriston’s solicitor tried to make an application for a non-publication order against his name, but that was denied, as the 58-year-old fights alleged sexual assault and kidnap charges.
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A court has denied an application for a former Belmont man — extradited from Queensland on historic sexual and serious assault charges and recently accused of abducting a 10-year-old girl from her mother — to have his name suppressed.
Warren John McCorriston, 58 — who was living on the Gold Coast — is facing more than 20 serious charges relating to the alleged assaults and rape of three women in the Hunter between 1980 and 1999.
Police allege in court documents Mr McCorriston tried to strangle one woman before having sex without her consent.
Last week, detectives added another charge to that list of abducting a girl under 16 from a lawful parent in 1979 at Blacksmiths.
The hospitality professional, who worked at some of Queensland’s premier hotels including Mantra Legends Hotel and Daydream Island Resort and Spa, was arrested at Surfers Paradise by Strike Force Arapaima in January.
The strike force was set up last year to investigate the disappearance of Amanda Robinson, 14, and Robyn Hickie, 18, in 1979 and Gordana Kotevski, 16, in 1994.
Investigations into the suspected murders uncovered information relating to the unrelated sexual assault allegations.
In Newcastle Local Court on Monday, McCorriston’s solicitor Sally Rostron made an application for a non-publication order, citing widespread media attention could be prejudicial to her client in getting a fair trial.
She handed up a compilation of articles to Magistrate Andrew Miller and conceded the charges Mr McCorriston was facing were being inflated with an investigation of the unsolved homicides.
“That information with those young women, strikes the hearts of a lot of people, they resonate with a lot of us and it’s the fact the reporting is in conjunction with this,” Ms Rostron said.
“The effect of the publicity could cause a trial to miscarry and there is a risk with his name being associated with these unsolved murders.
“There is already material that is available but if a non-publication order, there would be some breathing space.”
But Prosecutor Rebecca Witherspoon opposed the application and said it was clear the articles stated “unrelated” charges.
Magistrate Miller agreed each article made it clear it was unrelated and declined to make the order.
“Looking at the articles in my view there is very little risk,” he said.
The matter is adjourned until next month for mention.