Former Townsville carer pleads guilty to abusing three men with intellectual disabilities
A former Townsville carer who allegedly drugged and abused multiple men in his care has pleaded guilty – but a sentence is still months away.
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A former Townsville carer who allegedly drugged and abused multiple men in his care has pleaded guilty before a judge – but a sentence is still months away.
The man, who cannot be named in order to protect his victims, appeared via videolink from custody in Townsville District Court on Friday before Judge Gregory Lynham.
He pleaded guilty to 30 charges including 11 counts of procuring a person with an impairment of the mind to commit an indecent act, forge power of attorney, contract etc with intent to defraud, supplying schedule two dangerous drugs, and two counts of procure sexual act by threat or intimidation.
A charge of rape was replaced by a count of indecent treatment of a person with an impairment of the mind.
Police allege the man who was a self-employed carer, offended against three men, aged 18, 21 and 40.
All three men had intellectual disabilities.
His defence barrister Darin Honchin told the court they were “actively seeking” psychiatric assistance for a report to be completed for the man.
But he said the process was expected to take up to three months to complete.
“(We’re) looking for a sentence (date) at least nine to 10 weeks away,” Mr Honchin said.
He requested enough time to lock in an appointment with a psychiatrist and for a report to be completed.
Judge Gregory Lynham said it would take a “little bit of time” given the number of charges.
Crown prosecutor Monique Sheppard said the sentence could take up to three hours.
“There are multiple complainants, and (we) are not sure whether victim impact statements will be read to the court,” Ms Sheppard said.
A sentence was set down in December.
The man was remanded in custody.
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Originally published as Former Townsville carer pleads guilty to abusing three men with intellectual disabilities
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