Luke Bennett charged at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court with repeatedly raping woman in Bendigo over nearly 10 years

An accused Bendigo rapist will fight allegations, cross examining in court the woman he allegedly raped and threatened to rape on multiple occasions over 10 years.

Bendigo man Luke Bennett, 41, charged with multiple counts of rape. Pictured outside Bendigo Magistrates' Court on January 24, 2024. Picture: Gianni Francis.

An accused Bendigo rapist will fight allegations, cross examining in court the woman he allegedly raped and threatened to rape on multiple occasions over 10 years.

Luke Bennett outside Bendigo Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, February 21 charged with rape. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Strathfieldsaye man Luke Bennett, 41, faced Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with multiple counts of rape and other physical violence against a woman in Bendigo.

Mr Bennett has indicated he will fight the 17 charges brought against him by the Bendigo Sexual Offences and Child-abuse Investigation police unit, taking the allegations to a committal hearing in October where the complainant will be cross-examined.

A doctor will also be cross-examined in relation to the allegations.

Bendigo man Luke Bennett, 41, charged with multiple counts of rape. Pictured outside Bendigo Magistrates' Court on January 24, 2024. Picture: Gianni Francis.

The committal hearing will proceed over three days, with a magistrate ruling at the end if there is enough evidence to support conviction at trial.

Mr Bennett has not entered pleas to the charges before the court.

Documents tendered to the court reveal Mr Bennett is charged with raping a woman on multiple occasions and threatening to rape her on several other occasions.

Police allege Bennett physically assaulted the woman by throwing a loaf of bread that hit her in the head in March 2013 and on another occasion pushed her into a wall in May 2013 which caused ongoing pain.

Police also allege Mr Bennett engaged in reckless conduct on two occasions that put a person in “danger of serious injury”.

Mr Bennett will remain on bail ahead of the committal hearing in October.