Charges to be downgraded in case against Channel 7 television personality charged with rape, torture offences

A Channel 7 reality star facing rape and torture charges could have some dropped or downgraded after the alleged victim gave a new statement, a court has been told.

A Channel 7 television personality charged with a raft of serious rape and torture offences spanning over more than a decade could have some of her charges dropped or downgraded, a court has been told.

The woman, who cannot be identified due to a non-publication order granted in October last year, was not present when her matter was briefly mentioned at Richlands Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Police had charged the woman and her partner – both of whom appeared on a prominent Channel 7 show – with the string of offences in August 2023.

The woman is facing a slew of charges dating as far back to 2005. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Her solicitor, Natasha Shortener, told the court she had received a hard drive from police on Tuesday after requesting on the last occasion for the outstanding brief of evidence to be provided.

However, Ms Shortener said she couldn’t confirm if the hard drive contained everything she’d requested from prosecutions, including text messages and other documents.

Ms Shortener said she’d also been told by police 13 of the aggravated bodily harm charges against her client were to be “substituted” for common assault charges.

Magistrate Aaron Simpson said he recalled on the last occasion the matter was before court that police had told him some charges were also going to be withdrawn.

The police prosecutor told the court the process was still underway to finalise the charges after further discussions with alleged victim.

“(The charges) haven’t been officially withdrawn, but (the alleged victim) made a subsequent statement which cancels a previous version,” he said on Tuesday.

Mr Simpson ordered a directions hearing be set down for June 12.

The couple appeared on a prominent Channel 7 show. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

The woman was initially charged in August last year with 37 offences, including multiple counts of rape and a raft of serious child abuse allegations.

She was charged with a further 38 offences on November 7.

Police will allege in court the offending, which includes rape, indecent treatment of children under 16, torture and sexual assaults, allegedly occurred between 2005 and 2020.

Mr Simpson said the directions hearing was required because of the scope of evidence – defined as the particulars of a case – was yet to be finalised, including the single charge of torture which the woman was charged with on August 30, 2023.

“I don’t know how you particular (an alleged) torture that’s over 15 years, how on earth can you particular that,” Mr Simpson said.

The woman’s co-accused, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, is expected to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

The man is also facing his own charges – including six counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm while armed/in company, two counts of common assault, one count of observations or recordings in breach of privacy and two counts of torture.

The man is also charged with a raft of serious offences. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Ms Shortener said she would expect both co-accused will have their case run together as it proceeds before the court.

She indicated the man’s lawyer would be available on June 12 for the set directions hearing.

Media were initially prevented from identifying the couple under Queensland laws preventing the identification of people charged with “prescribed sexual offences”.

That legislation was amended on October 3 last year.

But Mr Simpson imposed a non-publication order on the woman’s identity over concerns she may self-harm as a result of further media publicity.

His ruling came after she attempted to self harm after she was charged, according to court documents seen by NCA NewsWire.

Originally published as Charges to be downgraded in case against Channel 7 television personality charged with rape, torture offences