John William Spencer in court on more rape, indecent treatment charges

A Gympie region grandfather who raped and molested two girls using a backyard chasing game to lure them into a false sense of security, will return to court more than a year after he was jailed. Read the latest development:

A convicted Gympie region pedophile and rapist, who used a game to lure his victims, will return to court on two outstanding charges.

John William Spencer, 62, was sentenced to a minimum of two years behind bars in May 2021 after he was found guilty of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16 and in his care at the time.

On Monday, Gympie District Court heard Spencer would return on two outstanding charges from the same matter, including one charge of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one charge of rape.

He has not yet entered a plea to either charge.

Gympie Magistrates Court heard during his last appearance, Spencer lured his victims into a false sense of security while playing a game called “zombie”.

John William Spencer, 62, was sentenced to a minimum of two years behind bars in May 2021 after he was found guilty of two counts of rape and five counts of indecent treatment of a child under the age of 16 and in his care at the time.

“It was, in effect, something like Tag; the defendant would pretend to be the zombie, they’d play it outside, he’d make noises, trying to catch the girls,” Crown Prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher said.

In other instances, he approached his victims himself.

Spencer will be eligible for parole in 2023 for the crimes.

He attempted to appeal his conviction on May 13, 2021, six days after he was sentenced, but the case was dismissed on February 18, 2022.

His matter was mentioned in Gympie District Court on Monday, and adjourned until June 20.

Originally published as John William Spencer in court on more rape, indecent treatment charges