Emerald man Jonathan David Dillon charged with rape, supplying drugs to teen girl

An alleged ice addict is accused of plying a young girl with drugs and raping her multiple times. He has applied for bail.

The 40 year old is charged with three counts of rape and aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor 16 years or more, as well as possessing dangerous drugs and used drug items.

An alleged ice addict accused of plying a young girl with drugs and raping her has been granted bail on strict conditions that he does not go within 100m of his alleged victim or try to contact her in any form.

Magistrate Bronwyn Hartigan found there were “significant credibility issues” in the case that needed to be explored, and with an expected lengthy delay it would be unfair for Jonathan David Dillon to be kept in custody.

It is alleged the offending occurred in August 2023 at North Mackay.

Mr Dillon, 40, is charged with three counts of rape and aggravated supply of dangerous drugs to a minor 16 years or more, as well as possessing dangerous drugs and used drug items.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard during a bail application for Mr Dillon that he had “made admissions to the acts”, but was alleging “consent is the issue”.

He had already spent about six months in custody on remand.

Prosecutor Sheena Gravino submitted there was an unacceptable risk of committing further offences given Mr Dillon had allegedly admitted to being an addicted drug user and he had also admitted to supplying drugs to a minor.

It is alleged Mr Dillon is an ice addict.

Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Ancilla Seethya said her preliminary instructions, on the back of outstanding evidence including a sexual assault kit, DNA sampling and drug analysis, was that her client planned to contest the charges.

The court heard it could be some time before the matters are in the higher courts where they need to be finalised.

Ms Seethya said her client had no prior like offending or no history of breaching bail, before his incarceration on remand had been a full-time concreter and had a place to live with family in Emerald.

“I am minded to release him on bail,” Ms Hartigan said.

“The crown case is strong for sexual intercourse … but consent is a real issue.

“There are some, in my view, some credibility issues that need to be explored and he shouldn’t be kept in custody while that happens.”
Mr Dillon is only allowed to enter Mackay for court or legal conferences and there are no contact orders, direct or indirect, for the teen.
He must also not go within 100m of her at any place or where she lives.

Matters were adjourned to May for mention.

Originally published as Emerald man Jonathan David Dillon charged with rape, supplying drugs to teen girl