A 17-year-old male from Cairns will face a District Court trial over allegations he broke into a Manunda home and sexually assaulted a woman earlier this year.
Alleged Offences and Court Proceedings
The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared in Cairns Childrens Court on Monday, November 25, 2024. He faced a total of eight charges related to the alleged incident on May 5, 2024.
The charges presented to the court include:
- One count of rape
- One count of sexual assault
- One count of entering a dwelling with intent
- Two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm
- One count of common assault
- One count of stealing
- One count of wilful damage
During the brief committal hearing, the court heard the prosecution's evidence, which included a written statement from the alleged victim. The young man's defence lawyer, Mr. Michael Dalton, did not make any submissions against the committal.
Details of the Manunda Incident
The case stems from an alleged violent home invasion at a residence in the Cairns suburb of Manunda. It is alleged the teenager unlawfully entered the home and committed a series of offences against a woman inside.
Following the incident, Queensland Police arrested and charged the 17-year-old. The matter has been progressing through the youth justice system since May.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Magistrate Cathy McLennan formally committed the teenager to stand trial in the Cairns District Court. His case will be listed for a future mention where a trial date is expected to be set.
The accused was remanded in custody and will remain there until his next court appearance. As the matter now moves to a higher court, the teenager will face the more serious charges before a judge and potentially a jury.
This case highlights the ongoing legal processes for serious alleged crimes involving youths in Far North Queensland, with the community awaiting the outcome of the judicial proceedings.
