Mackay man charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual assault

A man has been arrested and charged with five counts of rape over an alleged attack on a friend at a regional Queensland home.

A man was arrested and charged with five counts of rape, and one count each of sexual assault and common assault all alleged to have occurred at a Mackay home in early 2025.

A man is facing multiple counts of rape and assault over an alleged horror incident involving a friend has been granted watch-house bail.

Police will allege the pair are known to each other and the alleged acts occurred on the same date in March 2025.

The man was arrested and charged with five counts of rape, and one count each of sexual assault and common assault all alleged to have occurred at a Mackay home.

Mackay Magistrates Court heard after his arrest he was granted watch-house bail with conditions.

This meant he did not have to make a bail application before a Magistrate who determines if there is any risk and if that risk can be mitigated with conditions.

The case was first mentioned in court this week and Prosecutor Ruth Whisker said a brief of evidence would need to be ordered for the charges.

Because of the nature of the charges – rape has a maximum penalty of life if convicted – the case will eventually need to be dealt with in District Court should there be enough evidence to hand it up to a higher court.

The prosecution will need to provide the police case by early September with a committal mention listed for later that month.

While recent law changes allow a person to be named under some circumstances from the moment they are charged with rape, this man not been named yet as it is not known if this will identify the alleged victim.

Originally published as Mackay man charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual assault