Carer charged with 21 counts of rape

A PRIVATE carer has been charged with 21 counts of rape after he allegedly repeatedly assaulted a woman in Brisbane’s north last year.

A MAN accused of repeatedly assaulting and raping a “vulnerable” woman in his care has been granted bail amid allegations he had also threatened her.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court heard the alleged case only came to light after the alleged victim, 27, travelled to Kenya where she confided to a friend.

It’s alleged the 21-year-old man was working as her carer when he raped and assaulted the woman at her home, on Brisbane’s northside, between July and November last year.

He was arrested on Sunday and charged with 21 counts of rape and eight counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

Prosecutor Sergeant Aydina Pugh told the court the accused was on a student visa and the allegations against him were serious.

She also said “threats were made to the victim”.

Duty lawyer Mark Schofield said his client held a foreign passport, had been in Australia for the past year, and was no longer employed as the woman’s carer.

Magistrate John McGrath noted the seriousness of the allegations, labelling them a “betrayal of trust”.

He granted the man bail subject to several conditions including that he report to police three times a week and surrender his passport. He is further banned from contacting the complainant or leaving Australia until the matter is dealt with.

The case will return to court on March 6.

Originally published as Carer charged with 21 counts of rape