Mooloolaba Jehovah’s Witness figure to apply for bail on rape, incest charges
A twist has been heard in the rape and incest case of a Sunshine Coast man who previously held a position in the Jehovah's Witness community.
Police & Courts
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A Sunshine Coast Jehovah’s Witness identity is set to have another tilt at bail on rape and incest offences after losing his liberty following more charges.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on Friday the Mooloolaba man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, would be applying for bail after he was taken into custody in September 2023.
Police allege the Mooloolaba man used his position of religious standing within the Jehovah’s Witness community to target young men in their late teens to early 20s between 2008 and 2018.
After being granted bail further allegations later came to light which culminated in the 62-year-old being charged with six offences including two counts of distributing intimate images, sexual assault and attempting to pervert justice.
This led to the Mooloolaba man having his bail revoked where he has been on remand since the new charges were laid.
These charges added to the offences the Mooloolaba man was arrested for in August 2022 which include rape, sexual assault, incest and torture.
In court on Friday, defence lawyer Belinda Robinson asked Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist to adjourn the six offences to join the man’s 50-plus charges on March 20.
The man, who appeared in court via video link from in custody, listened as Ms Robinson said she would apply for his bail on that date following a cross examination of witnesses at a committal hearing.
She told the court there would be a full hand up to the higher courts following the cross examination.
Mr Stjernqvist adjourned the matter and the Mooloolaba’ man’s bail application to next Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody.
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Originally published as Mooloolaba Jehovah’s Witness figure to apply for bail on rape, incest charges
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