Magistrate vows to move Joe Prendergast’s rape case forward

A Murgon magistrate has set two key dates in the rape and sexual assault case against a prominent South Burnett businessman.

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.

A magistrate has set two key dates in the rape and sexual assault case against prominent Burnett businessman Joe Prendergast to “make people know that this matter is moving forward”.

Mr Prendergast, managing director of Dusty Joe’s Pty Ltd that operates the Dusty Hill Vineyard in Moffatdale, Joe’s Grand Hotel in Goomeri and The Goomeri Bakery, is charged with 11 counts of rape and other sexual assault offences, alleged to have been committed over six years against a woman and an underage girl.

He has not entered any pleas and was not in court in person on Wednesday.

Joe Prendergast is the managing director of Dusty Joe’s Pty Ltd which operates the Dusty Hill Vineyard in Moffatdale.

On Wednesday, Solicitor Sjaana Stephens who was representing the law firm for Mr Prendergast told the Murgon Magistrates court Mr Prendergast’s legal team had sent through an email to the prosecution with a list of requests.

Police prosecutor Lisa Manns said they only received the email the day before Wednesday’s court hearing.

“There’s quite a number of requests for disclosure of material,” Sergeant Manns said.

She said some of the requested items included the entire criminal history on at least one of the witness’s which she indicated could be contested.

“I would be seeking at least a two-month adjournment to allow that disclosure … it’s quite comprehensive,” Sgt Manns said.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair made it clear to the prosecution and defence the case must progress.

Key dates have been revealed in the case against Joe Prendergast.

“I’m going to move this forward, it won’t be delayed for very much longer,” Mr Sinclair said.

“Go ahead and provide anything you want to, but if there is any dispute we will set it down on the 10th (April) for a hearing day so I can make final disclosure directions so these charges can move forward.

“To expedite things I will set down a day for that prospective directions hearing now so that can make people know that this matter is moving forward.”

Mr Sinclair said if there was any disagreement on April 10 about any requested items that had not been provided, he would make a decision on them on May 1.

“I will set aside an entire day if necessary to move this matter forward,” he said.

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.

In June 2023, following investigations 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.

The matter will be heard again at Murgon Magistrates Court on April 10, 2024.

Originally published as Magistrate vows to move Joe Prendergast’s rape case forward