Judge reveals why historic Gympie sex crime trial was aborted

The trial of a Gympie man accused of historic sexual abuse of his cousin was abandoned in its second day and the jury sent home, with the judge revealing why.

The Judge presiding over the trial of a Gympie man accused of historic allegation of sexual abuse, which was abandoned in its second day, has revealed what happened and where it goes now.

A man accused of historic sex crimes against his cousin will face a new trial after one which started at Gympie was halted on its second day.

The man, who cannot legally be named, stands accused of molesting his younger cousin on several occasions from 1976 to 1986.

He has pleaded not guilty to five charges including one count of indecent treatment of a boy under 17 and under 14, indecent treatment of a boy under 17, and three counts of indecent assault of a male.

The trial started on Monday November 13 at the Gympie District Court.

The jury was discharged at the end of the following day, leaving proceedings in the lurch.

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The man, who cannot legally be named, stands accused of molesting his younger cousin on several occasions from 1976 to 1986. Picture: Generic image

On Friday, Judge Glen Cash told the court the defendant had sought a new trial “due to a statement … from a Crown witness which introduced inadmissible and prejudicial evidence, and it was unable to be ameliorated by a judicial direction”.

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The need for a new trial did not mean the first attempt had been a waste, Judge Cash said.

“The evidence was recorded and will now be available … in relation to two witnesses.”

Judge Cash hoped the new trial could commence at the next District Court sittings at Gympie.

Originally published as Judge reveals why historic Gympie sex crime trial was aborted