Ex-Redlands councillor, Mount Morgan publican Paul Gleeson charged with rape

A former south-east Queensland councillor who now runs a pub near Rockhampton has been charged with rape and remanded in jail.

Former Redlands City councillor and Mount Morgan Railway Hotel publican Paul Anthony Gleeson.

A former councillor turned publican has been charged with one count of rape and remanded in prison.

Paul Anthony Gleeson, 51, appeared in the Rockhampton District Court on September 20 when the rape charge was first presented to the court.

According to court records, the rape allegedly took place in Mount Morgan on September 26, 2023.

No longer sporting the clean shaven look he featured in his Redlands City Council campaign posters or style while acting as Division 9 councillor between 2012 to 2020, Mr Gleeson had a short beard when he appeared in court.

Former Redlands City councillor Paul Gleeson.

The court heard Mr Gleeson, a one-time LNP candidate for the state seat of Capalaba, was brought in from Capricornia Correctional Centre as he had previously been unrepresented and was not advised he had recently been granted Legal Aid funding.

Legal Aid lawyer Oscar Millroy advised the court Mr Gleeson’s lawyers – Gatenby Criminal Lawyers on the Gold Coast – were given the grant of aid on September 5 and provided the brief of evidence on September 9.

A video-link conference between Mr Gleeson and his lawyers has been booked for September 30.

“While I’m here, is there any chance I can be released on bail?” Mr Gleeson asked Judge Jeff Clarke.

“I’ve been on remand for 279 days now for something I didn’t do.”

Judge Clarke told him to talk to his lawyers.

The court heard there was a 39-year-old female who is a special witness in the case.

Mr Gleeson moved to Mount Morgan after losing the 2020 election, with The Mount Morgan Argus reporting him as the new publican of the Mount Morgan Railway Hotel in September 2021.

Mr Gleeson’s rape charge was adjourned to October 14.

Originally published as Ex-Redlands councillor, Mount Morgan publican Paul Gleeson charged with rape