Dozens of charges against a Channel 7 personality who was initially facing a raft of abuse-related offences have been dropped following an astonishing development at court.
The woman wept during a committal hearing at Richlands Magistrates Court in Brisbane on Wednesday as charges including torture and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were thrown out after magistrate Stuart Shearer ruled there was no evidence to support them.
The woman and a man – who appeared together on a prominent Channel 7 show – were first charged with abuse-related offences in August 2023.
Police allege in court documents the offences spanned several locations in Queensland, some dating back more than two decades.
Two Channel 7 identities faced court on Wednesday when dozens of charges against the woman were dismissed by a magistrate. Picture: NewsWire
The pair appeared on a prominent Channel 7 show and were charged in August 2023. Picture: NewsWire / Nicki Connolly
The woman was still committed to stand trial in the District Court on 12 charges, including unlawful assault occasioning actual bodily harm, indecent treatment and rape, after Mr Shearer found there was a prima facie case for each of them.
The woman answered “No, Your Honour” when asked if she wanted to say anything in response.
The man, who is facing eight counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (two while in company), two counts of common assault and one count of observations in breach of privacy, is due to stand trial in the Magistrates Court on April 30.
The same woman was also ordered to appear before Richlands Magistrates Court on the same date on charges of common assault and observations in breach of privacy, which were not committed to the District Court.
Neither of the pair commented to waiting media as they exited court, supported by family members.
Wednesday’s development follows a protracted committal process over the last year during which one of the main complainants admitted to lying in her initial statement to police.
The identities of the pair cannot be revealed after a court granted a sweeping non-publication order of the woman’s identity. Picture: NewsWire
Mr Shearer had repeatedly raised concerns with the admissibility of certain statements and noted some relied on “hearsay”.
During Wednesday’s hearing, he said many of the charges were “duplicitous” and refused police prosecutor Senior Constable Tom Wirawan’s request to amend them.
“I’m disagreeing with my learned friend in terms of the submissions with the duplicitous charges,” Constable Wirawan said.
Mr Shearer responded: “There are. There are a lot (of duplicitous charges).
“I’m not amending your charges to fix your case,” he continued.
“You could have charged the right charges in the first place.”
The woman was committed to stand trial on 12 charges in the District Court, but the pair will return to the Magistrates Court in April. Picture: NewsWire
Mr Shearer proceeded to dismiss dozens of the woman’s charges one by one, variously noting there were “no particulars” or evidence to support each charge or that it was duplicitous with another charge.
In 2023, the woman was granted a non-publication order protecting her identity after magistrate Aaron Simpson found the woman was at risk of harming herself should further media coverage identify her.
Queensland legislation previously prevented media outlets from identifying people charged with a “prescribed sexual offence”, including rape, attempted rape, assault with intent to commit rape, and sexual assault.
But the legislation was amended, lifting restrictions on identifying people charged with aforementioned offences.
Mr Simpson’s ruling on the woman’s identity was one of the first non-publication orders implemented after Queensland’s new sexual offence identification laws were introduced.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse or family violence contact:
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National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
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24-hour Emergency Accommodation helpline on 1800 800 588
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Safe At Home helpline on 1800 633 937
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National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service on 1800 FULLSTOP (1800 385 578). They also have a specific line for the LGBTIQA+ community called the Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline on 1800 497 212
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SHE (free and confidential counselling and support) on 6278 9090
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Sexual Assault Support Services on 6231 1811, or after hours 6231 1817
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Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122
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Bravehearts – Sexual Assault Support for Children on 1800 BRAVE 1
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Kids Helpline is for young people aged 5 to 25 on 1800 551 800
Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14
Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au
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