Melbourne tradie facing multiple charges of rape

A suburban Melbourne tradie has been charged with 13 sexual offences, including eight counts of rape, following a lengthy criminal investigation.

Kent Albert Stephenson is facing a string of rape charges. Picture: David Crosling

A suburban tradie is facing a series of rape charges following a lengthy criminal investigation.

Kent Stephenson, 51, is charged with 13 sexual offences including eight counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape and three counts of sexual touching.

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

Charge sheets obtained by the Herald Sun 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.

Kurt Stephenson will return to court on November 1.

The charges were laid by the Knox Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Team in mid-August

A gag order was initially proposed for the case against the wishes of the alleged victim.

Mr Stephenson’s lawyer and the prosecution originally sought for details of the case to be kept secret from the public in a Melbourne Magistrates’ Court hearing on Friday.

However the request was abandoned after consultation with the alleged victim who indicated she wanted the charges against Mr Stephenson to be made public.

Magistrate Vincenzo Caltabiano granted the release of material.

The accused rapist made further attempts to avoid media scrutiny following his hearing.

Supported in court by a female friend, Mr Stephenson dramatically ditched the woman on the front steps of the court to sprint away from awaiting cameras.

He will return to court on November 1.