Trial of Tarquin Gillard-Blunt results in hung jury
The jury in the trial of a man accused of sexually abusing a child has been unable to reach a unanimous decision
Fraser Coast
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The trial of a Beenleigh man accused of sexually abusing a child has resulted in a hung jury.
Tarquin Gillard-Blunt, 28, pleaded not guilty to five charges including two counts of rape on Monday morning in Hervey Bay District Court and on Wednesday afternoon the jury began to deliberate the case.
The court was told the jury members were unable to come to a unanimous decision regarding whether Mr Gillard-Blunt was guilty or not guilty.
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The court heard the events that led to the trial took place in 2020 and the first person to hear about the allegations was a friend of the victim who was told “not to tell anyone”.
The court heard that after “numerous months of counselling” the victim revealed she had allegedly been “touched” by Mr Gillard-Blunt, the crown prosecutor told the court.
The Department of Public Prosecutions will decide whether or not the case will be retried.
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Originally published as Trial of Tarquin Gillard-Blunt results in hung jury
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