Mackay Cutters player Ethan Tomas Cocco charged with rape, sexual assault
A QRL player who returned to the state after a stint in NSW was charged with serious sexual offences less than two months after signing for his hometown club.
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A Mackay Cutters player was charged with rape and sexual assault mere months after returning to his hometown, then resigned for ‘personal reasons’ days after the alleged offences.
Ethan Tomas Cocco, 21, walked into the Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday morning freshly shaven, in a white button up with blue pants to hear his charges read out by the magistrate.
He is accused of raping a woman at a South Mackay address on two separate dates in January, and indecently assaulting her on one of those dates.
Rob Beamish of McKay’s Solicitors is representing Mr Cocco, who is a former St Pat’s rugby league player.
The Cutters announced his return via a Facebook post in November.
The club’s CEO, Dave Roberts said Mr Cocco resigned for ‘personal reasons’ from the club in January, and said they were not aware of the charges.
“The player approached the club on the 21st of January 2025, seeking an immediate release due to personal reasons,” he said in a statement.
“The club agreed to the player’s request and offered immediate wellbeing support.”
He had been playing with the Cronulla Sharks’ NSW Cup team in the prior years, and had been selected for the Queensland Country team as a youth player.
Mr Cocco is currently out on bail, granted at the watch-house after his arrest.
Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan excused Mr Cocco from appearing at his next appearance.
“As long as Mr Beamish is your solicitor he will look after it,” she said.
As part of his bail conditions he is forbidden from contacting the alleged victim.
Mr Cocco’s case will return to the courts in April.
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Originally published as Mackay Cutters player Ethan Tomas Cocco charged with rape, sexual assault
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