Accused family rapist granted bail despite increase of alleged victims

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged domestic and sexual violence

A father accused of abusing his family members and their friends has avoided an attempt to lock him up, even though the number of people making allegations against him has grown.

The man, now aged in his 40s, faces 40 charges for allegedly sexually, indecently or physically assaulting more than seven people over the late 2000s to early 2020s.

He allegedly repeatedly digitally raped one daughter for several years from when she was 13, as well as forcefully raping her when she was 15.

Police allege in court documents that after one incident, he told her “She wasn’t allowed to tell anyone”, and “If she told anyone, he would get locked up and that the family would fall apart and wouldn’t have a father”.

Later, this daughter allegedly found a small surveillance camera underneath the television in her bedroom, which she unplugged and threw onto the ground. She reportedly found it plugged back in the next day.

The man allegedly sexually assaulted another two daughters when they were aged between about 11 and 13.

One also allegedly found a doorbell-style camera in her bedroom when she was about 15, while the other found another camera hidden in the bathroom.

The man is accused of making comments like “I would leave [my partner] for you” to a 15-year-old friend of his daughter, as well as repeatedly slapping her buttocks, in addition to slapping the buttocks of his son’s girlfriend.

He allegedly began regularly selling cocaine to a 17-year-old male friend of his son, indecently assaulted him while he slept and used a taser on him.

He is also accused of encouraging his half-sister to drink alcohol when she was 16, then forcefully orally raping her.

The man was arrested earlier this year and was then granted bail in May 2024 on conditions that included not contacting a particular woman.

However, he messaged her two days in June, allegedly referencing a statement the woman had made against him.

He was arrested for allegedly breaching his bail. He faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (28 June) where the prosecutor applied to revoke his bail, saying additional people had come forward to make allegations about him since the matter had first appeared in court.

This would mean he now faces allegations from more than seven people, although the number of new complainants wasn’t stated in court.

The prosecutor alleged he had a history of violence against his children and ex-partner. She said he had been on bail for serious allegations and it was expected he would abide by strict conditions.

The man’s lawyer, Legal Aid’s Lesley Jayasuriya, said his client wasn’t aware of the bail condition to not contact the woman for a period of time, then once he did learn of it, he blocked her on social media.

Magistrate James Lawton said he would continue bail in the circumstances, also taking into account how the prosecutor said she would likely ask for another adjournment on the next occasion the matter was mentioned in court.

Bail was continued and the matter was adjourned to July.

The man’s charges include eight counts of incest or attempted incest, 26 counts of indecency-related charges, two counts of capturing visual data-related charges and three counts of assault.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.