Wayne Robert Green to stand trial for rape, sexual assault

Young women from the UK and Germany have given evidence against a former Burnett farmer who will be tried on 17 charges, including multiple charges of rape, sexual assault and deprivation of liberty.

Former South Burnett farmer Wayne Robert Green will go to trial in the District Court on 17 charges, including seven charges of rape.

Wayne Robert Green was committed to stand trial on 17 charges at a committal hearing in the Murgon Magistrates Court on Monday, February 6.

The 52-year-old is charged with seven counts of rape, sexual assault, seven counts of observation or recording in breach of privacy, three counts of procuring prostitution, deprivation of liberty, and six other offences.

The former South Burnett farmer has been accused of using “alcohol and plain bullying” to groom young European women, while working towards their second year Australian visa on his farm at Mondure.

Mr Green was committed to stand trial for rape in 2022, after being charged in 2018 after a joint Queensland Police and Australian Border Force investigation.

Scott Lynch and Wayne Robert Green leaving Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Monday, February 6, 2023.

Witnesses from the UK and Germany provided evidence via videolink of their alleged experiences while working for Mr Green between 2013 and 2017.

They recounted the strict rules they were allegedly given upon arriving at the farm, to wake up at 6am, to cook and a strict open door policy, even when sleeping, undressing or showering.

“He said if we all live together we have to get to know each other,” one witness said.

Defence lawyer Scott Lynch said the open door policy was due to Mr Green’s concerns about smoking and drug use at his home.

The court heard Mr Green and a man in his company one night shouted to one of the girls to get undressed in front of them.

“Put it this way, if you don’t take your clothes off we’ll run after you and chase you down with the tractor,” she was allegedly told.

One witness recounted an incident where Mr Green walked into a bathroom she was occupying.

She said Mr Green asked to see her vagina, she told him she had her period in hope of discouraging him.

“He was standing beside me, and was saying, ‘Come on, show it to me’,” the witness said.

“I then showed him my underwear.”

The court heard Mr Green touched her buttocks and left.

The court heard that according to three witness statements on at least five occasions, Mr Green walked into the bathroom while women were showering.

One witness said he walked into the bathroom, opened the shower door, and said “not bad” while staring at her naked body.

The court heard Mr Green often talked about the girls making more money if they provided himself and his friend sexual favours.

One witness said Mr Green offered $10 to see her breasts and $50 for oral sex.

“I didn’t take it as a joke,” she said.

In his submission to the court, Mr Lynch said the charges including sexual assault, observation in breach of privacy and deprivation of liberty lacked evidence and should be dismissed.

“Sadly, the common theme was the (women) regretted their actions,” he said.

Sergeant Barry Stevens told the court Wayne Robert Green had used alcohol, rules and normalisation of sexual encounters to groom the young women.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Barry Stevens told the court Mr Green had used alcohol, rules and normalisation of sexual encounters to groom the young women.

“He observed a private act by the fact he walked in while they were having a shower,” Sgt Stevens said.

Sgt Stevens said the women were terrified of Mr Green, with one witness stating she was scared he might rape or kill her.

“As far as she’s concerned this was Wolf Creek,” he said.

“This is about the defendant inflicting power, these girls wouldn’t do anything else (because) they were scared.

“One girl ripped her hair out and put it in between his car seat so there would be DNA,” Sgt Stevens said.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair found there was sufficient evidence, for all charges, for Mr Green to stand trial.

Mr Green did not enter a plea.

The matter will go to trial in the District Court at a date to be confirmed.

Originally published as Wayne Robert Green to stand trial for rape, sexual assault