Antonio Sean Gatt: Gold Coast rapist avoids serving jail time after continuing rehab program

A man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two of his female friends has walked from court on the Gold Coast after a judge said prison would interrupt his rehabilitation. Read what penalty he’s received instead.

Antonio Sean Gatt, 26, who had pleaded guilty to one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault, appeared in the Southport District Court on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Picture: Emily Walker

A man who sexually assaulted two female friends within days of each other has walked from court after a judge said he was impressed with his efforts at rehabilitation.

Antonio Sean Gatt, 26, who had pleaded guilty to one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault, appeared in the Southport District Court on Thursday.

The court heard Gatt, who had been out drinking with a female friend, returned with her to a unit he was staying at on the Gold Coast on August 25, 2022.

The woman, who was feeling tired and drunk, went to sleep on the couch in the living room but she later woke up in Gatt’s bed to Gatt touching her underneath her underwear.

She said ‘no’ to him more than once and reminded him she had a boyfriend, but he continued to touch her and penetrated her vagina with his finger.

Antonio Sean Gatt (left) pictured in 2021. Picture: Lea Emery

The following day Gatt apologised to the woman and they both checked out of the unit.

Two days later another female friend arrived in the Gold Coast to stay at Gatt’s unit.

The two were drinking, went out for food and ended at the casino before returning back to the unit.

She had indicated she would be sleeping on the couch but when she entered the living room after a shower, Gatt was already sitting on the couch, watching a movie and ordering pizza.

The court heard she sat next to him but felt tired and like the room was spinning.

Gatt lay down behind the woman on the coach and began touching her, grabbing her hips and pulling her closer.

The court heard the woman felt like she couldn’t move, told Gatt to stop but he continued.

She grabbed his hands, pushed them back to Gatt and said: “Tony no, maybe later.”

She fell asleep but woke up to her underwear and pants pulled down to her thighs, her shirt pulled up to her neck and Gatt touching her breast.

The court heard the woman felt like she was being held down.

Gatt began touching her vagina and she told him to stop and he couldn’t do that.

Gatt said he thought she indicated he could but she said no.

Gatt pictured in 2021. Picture: Lea Emery

The matter last appeared in court on October 23, 2024 where it was adjourned as part heard.

At the last appearance material indicated Gatt’s misuse of cocaine and alcohol were an explanation for his offending and Gatt was still continuing to drink heavily.

At this previous appearance, the court heard psychological material indicated Gatt had little insight into his behaviour and Judge Rowan Jackson KC had expressed concerns Gatt wasn’t trying as hard as he should have been.

In court on Thursday, Gatt’s defence barrister David Funch, instructed by Howden Saggers Lawyers, said it appeared his client had taken the comments on board.

The court heard Gatt has taken up additional counselling, returned negative drug and alcohol tests and has continued his involvement in the rehabilitation program Transformations Australia that partners with faith-based organisations.

A letter from a local pastor told the court Gatt had grown significantly since his involvement in church and the program.

Mr Funch said this was one of those rare cases where a greater degree of mercy would be appropriate, given the work Gatt had done and the rehabilitation he appeared to have demonstrated.

Crown prosecutor Amalia Baker-Smith said Gatt only made significant efforts after Judge Jackson KC’s comments last year and he had more than adequate time to make real efforts before then.

The Crown submitted Gatt serve three years in prison with a parole eligibility date set after he had served a third of his sentence.

Antonio Sean Gatt, 26, who had pleaded guilty to one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault, appeared in the Southport District Court on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Picture: Emily Walker

Judge Jackson KC noted Gatt showed remorse and said Gatt had developed numerous healthy relationships through the Church.

“I’m impressed with the efforts you have taken,” he said.

He noted the Crown’s submission for prison but said he wouldn’t have sentenced Gatt to a third of the sentence given his psychological conditions, disadvantaged childhood and minimal penetration.

Judge Jackson KC said he needed to ask himself if there was any point, given the community’s interest in rehabilitation, in sending Gatt to prison and interrupting his rehabilitation.

“It seems to be there isn’t any point in doing that,” he said.

Gatt was sentenced to an immediately suspended three years in prison and placed under probation order.

He was ordered to pay $8000 in compensation – $4000 to each of his victims.

A conviction was recorded. 

Originally published as Antonio Sean Gatt: Gold Coast rapist avoids serving jail time after continuing rehab program