Ferntree Gully tradie Kent Stephenson to fight rape allegations

An Upper Ferntree Gully tradesman accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman on multiple occasions will fight the allegations.

Upper Ferntree Gully tradesman Kent Stephenson is charged with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault.

A Melbourne tradie accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman multiple times over a prolonged period will fight the allegations.

Kent Albert Stephenson appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 13 charged with 13 sexual offences including eight counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape and three counts of sexual touching.

Police allege a woman was raped on multiple occasions by Mr Stephenson, who also allegedly slapped his penis across the woman’s face and groped her bare breast.

The alleged offending occurred in Melbourne between December 2018 and November 2022.

The 51-year-old was charged by Dandenong Sexual Offence and Child Abuse Team detectives on August 12

Kent Albert Stephenson pictured leaving the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court earlier this year. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Stephenson, of Ferntree Gully, will return to court on April 30 for a three-day contested committal hearing.

Six witnesses will give evidence in that matter, from which a magistrate will decide whether the case has enough evidence to head to the County Court.