Woman allegedly raped by high-profile man wants him named – but his lawyers argue he is at ‘risk of harm’ if identified
- The victim demands that the rapist be publicly announced
- New Queensland laws make this possible
A woman allegedly raped by a high-profile man is demanding the defendant be named, as the man’s lawyers fight to uphold a court order preventing their client from being named.
The sudden turn follows media outlets, including NCA NewsWire, seeking the lifting of a non-publicity order which would have allowed the man’s identity to be released following a major review of Queensland laws.
Police charged the man with two counts of rape in January.
They are alleged to stem from an incident in Toowoomba in October 2021.
The female complainant in the case of a high-profile man accused of rape wants his identity revealed, a court has heard
Earlier this month, the Queensland parliament changed a key piece of legislation that prevented those accused of rape or sexual assault from being identified before they were committed.
But the man’s lawyers successfully applied to the High Court for a non-publication order barring their client’s name days before the change began.
His legal team and lawyers acting for the media appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Friday, where the man’s legal team argued the order should stand.
Solicitor Andrew Hoare, acting for the high-profile man, said there was a ‘real existing risk of harm’ to his client if his identity was published.
He said the man suffered from ‘severe’ suicidal ideation which had been present for years.
Mr Hoare said his client could be at high risk of attempting self-harm, which he submitted in seeking a continuation of the order.
But Robert Anderson KC, representing the media, said the high-profile man had given no evidence in court, instead relying on his lawyers and his psychologist.
He noted that the man was prepared to go public with some statements, but was ‘unprepared’ to face the court and give evidence himself.
His legal team and lawyers acting for the media appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court (pictured) on Friday, where the man’s legal team argued the order should remain in place
Anderson said the defendant had no ‘automatic right to defence’ under recent changes to the legislation.
“The voice of the complainant is important to be heard,” he said.
“She wants the defendant to be named.” It is not neutral, it is an active voice.’
Mr Anderson referred to several public statements made by the high-profile man.
“There is an unreliability between the public presentation of the applicant and what is said by … (his) doctor,” he said.
‘It was incompatible.
“The applicant has said nothing to your honor directly. He has chosen to remain silent’.
Mr. Anderson submitted that the defendant was ready to tell his truth, but he was still asking this court to prevent the public from knowing who he is and to prevent open justice.
He also said the man was trying to deny the complainant’s voice.
“He has voluntarily put himself in a very public forum in a way that will inevitably expose and require him to explain … all his circumstances,” Mr Anderson said.
“His lawyers have told him to keep quiet, he has refused that advice.
“He wants to be heard—anywhere but here.”
The session continues.
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