Named: Toowoomba man Joseph William Hobson arrested for allegedly drugging and raping teen girl applies for bail
A Toowoomba man who allegedly picked up a teenage girl who was walking the streets late at night with no shoes on while wearing pyjamas before allegedly drugging and raping the girl has applied for bail.
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A Darling Downs man who spent the past 10 months in custody on remand after being charged with rape has been released on bail.
During the 35-year-old man’s bail application at the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, September 2, the court was told Joseph William Hobson told police the sexual activity with the 17-year-old girl was consensual.
The court was told the teenager, who had a cognitive disability, met Mr Hobson by chance on the streets of Toowoomba late at night in November 2023.
She had no shoes on and was wearing pyjamas, the court was told.
Mr Hobson told officers when he initially met the girl he was worried about her, as she looked distressed, and he mentioned he should call the police.
However, the court was told Mr Hobson and the teenager went to a motel room.
Police allege Mr Hobson, who was on probation for an unrelated crime at the time, plied the young woman with liquid cannabis and alcohol with the intent to take sexual advantage of her.
The court was told Mr Hobson told police he knew the teen had a mental disability.
The Crown opposed the bail application, and called Mr Hobson’s behaviour opportunistic and predatory.
He had no relevant criminal history.
Judge Dennis Lynch KC said Mr Hobson was not in a show cause position.
“It doesn’t seem to me that there is an unacceptable risk given that conditions attaching to a bail order can require an effective supervision of (Mr Hobson),” Judge Lynch said.
“I’m not satisfied that there is an unacceptable risk of his failing to appear or of committing offences.
“It’s appropriate to release the applicant on bail subject to conditions.”
Upon his release, Mr Hobson will reside with his mother in the Stanthorpe area.
The court was told Mr Hobson had completed a university degree and was working in his preferred field.
Mr Hobson is charged with four counts of administering a stupefying drug with intent to commit a crime and three counts of rape. No pleas have been entered.
His charges will next be mentioned before the courts on September 26.
He will stand trial via a jury.
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Originally published as Named: Toowoomba man Joseph William Hobson arrested for allegedly drugging and raping teen girl applies for bail
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