High profile man and media marketing executive charged over alleged Geelong rape

A media marketer and a high profile man — who has obtained a gag order preventing the release of his name — have been charged with rape and other sex offences over an alleged incident in Geelong.

Geelong media marketer Patrick Sinnott (pictured with his lawyer) and another — high profile — man have been charged with rape. Picture: Alexander Blain

A media marketer from Geelong and a high profile man have been charged with rape and other sex offences.

The Herald Sun can reveal Patrick Sinnott is facing four charges including digital rape and sexual touching without consent after a suppression order prohibiting reporting on his case was lifted by a Geelong magistrate on Tuesday.

But his co-accused, who is a well-known figure and facing five charges including oral and digital rape and sexual touching without consent, cannot be identified after he was granted a gag order on his case.

Patrick Sinnott outside court with his lawyer earlier this year. Picture: Alexander Blain

Picture: Alexander Blain

The high-profile man’s defence barrister, Dermot Dann KC, previously told a court his client maintained his innocence and would fight the charges.

The pair are facing charges over an alleged incident that took place in Geelong.

They were interviewed late last year and charged earlier this year.

Lawyers for Mr Sinnott had argued his case should be suppressed due to his association with the co-accused.

But magistrate Ann McGarvie noted he did not seek his own non-publication order, instead seeking to have his name added to his co-accused’s application.

Patrick Sinnott’s LinkedIn photo. Picture: Supplied

“It would be a dangerous precedent to add a co-accused details to a suppression order in case anyone linked the two together,” she said.

“Speculation will always occur whenever there is a suppression order.

“Some people may correctly guess that the applicant is the co-accused, even if that occurs, that information cannot be published.”

Neither Mr Sinnott or his co-accused were present for Tuesday’s hearing.

The men will return to court in June.