A high-profile media presenter who allegedly used his ‘position in power’ to manipulate a 13-year-old girl has been charged with nine counts of rape.
The Queensland man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was refused bail at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, where he also faced seven counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16.
Police will allege the well-known media personality carried out a litany of sexual assaults on the child in 1988, when he was 29-years-old.
The court heard that the accused ‘used his position in power and social stature to manipulate’ the girl, who lost her virginity at public school on their first meeting,’ the Courier Mail reported.
‘As the offending continued, the victim’s innocence was ripped away from her progressively as more sexual acts were done with this defendant,’ Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said.
‘He told her she should be grateful as he was teaching her how to be a good lover and that his position in the community would be of benefit to her.’
It was revealed the alleged offending only stopped when the victim was grounded by her parents for coming home late after a sexual encounter with the defendant.
‘The victim advises that the defendant refused to engage with her after this grounding had occurred,’ Sergeant Newman said.
The defendant’s lawyer, Ron Behlau, confirmed his client would be pleading not guilty and intends to vigorously defend all charges.
One of the key pieces of evidence is a recorded conversation between the accused and the alleged victim.
The court heard that on the tape, the defendant can allegedly be heard apologising for his actions and said he only did it for ‘fun’.
Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist agreed that the police have a ‘very strong case’ and denied the accused bail.
The man will reappear in court on August 6 for a committal mention hearing.
