Joe Prendergast sexual assault, rape charges: New date set
The case against businessman Joe Prendergast, who has been charged with 11 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of indecent treatment of a child and one attempted indecent assault of a child, has been pushed back by several months, frustrating the local magistrate.
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South Burnett businessman Joe Prendergast has experienced a significant delay in his court case involving allegations of rape and sexual assault, with proceedings pushed back by several months.
A frustrated magistrate outlined the next steps in Murgon court on Tuesday, saying he expected the matter would be “fully resolved” at the next court date.
Mr Prendergast is the managing director of a boutique accommodation and winery at Moffatdale called the Dusty Hill Vineyard.
His company, Dusty Joe’s Pty Ltd, also operates a hotel and bakery in Goomeri.
Solicitor Sonja Stevens, who appeared as town agent on behalf of Mr Prendergast’s lawyers, said on Tuesday at Murgon Magistrates Court that an application had been made to push back the scheduled September 10 hearing by another “four weeks”.
Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said the remaining item of evidence the defence was waiting on, a transcript, was still “outstanding” and the requested delay was “not opposed by the prosecution”.
Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said they would need to “allocate a whole day” for a directions hearing and a full hand-up.
“Nobody seems very keen to get it done,” Mr Sinclair said.
After some discussion between the parties, November 5 was the nominated date for the hearing.
Mr Prendergast has been ordered to appear in person on that day.
“I expect this matter to be fully resolved in court on that day,” Mr Sinclair said.
In June 2023, following an investigation by the Murgon police, Mr Prendergast was charged with 11 counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one attempted indecent assault of a child under 16.
The first complainant, a woman in her 30s, was allegedly sexually assaulted by Mr Prendergast between September 2017 and January 2020.
The second complainant was allegedly sexually assaulted and inappropriately touched between December 25, 2022, and February 26, 2023 while she was under 16.
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Originally published as Joe Prendergast sexual assault, rape charges: New date set
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