CAIRNS — A 17-year-old boy has been found guilty of rape following a brutal home invasion in the inner-city Cairns suburb of Manunda, an act that has left the local community reeling.
Judge Joshua Treviño KC delivered the verdict in the Children’s Court of Queensland today, finding the teenager guilty of a single count of rape. The youth had faced five counts of rape, entering not-guilty pleas to each. He was acquitted of the remaining four charges.
The court heard harrowing details of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of February 21, 2025. Three teenage boys broke into the victims’ residence at approximately 3:00 am, armed with weapons and demanding wallets. During the home invasion, the now-convicted teenager held the woman’s partner at knifepoint in a bedroom, effectively preventing him from intervening while two other accomplices sexually assaulted the woman in different areas of the property.
The central legal debate during last month’s judge-alone trial centered on the boy’s intent. Crown prosecutor Nicole Friedewald argued that by detaining the partner, the accused was liable for the sexual assaults as he had “aided or enabled” the crimes. The prosecution pointed to evidence from the victim’s partner, who testified that one of the other attackers made an explicit comment regarding their intentions as the victim was led from the room.
Defence barrister Tim Grau argued that his client was unaware that his accomplices intended to commit sexual violence, maintaining that the boy’s understanding was limited to a robbery.
While the boy was cleared of four of the sexual assault charges, the court heard that he had already entered guilty pleas to a significant list of other offences, including two counts of unlawful detention, two counts of armed robbery in company, breaking and entering at night while armed, and theft.
The two other teenagers involved in the attack, both now 17, have already pleaded guilty to all 11 charges brought against them and are currently remanded in custody awaiting sentencing next month.
Following today’s verdict, Judge Treviño noted that it remains uncertain whether the teenager’s sentencing can be finalized before the end of the year. The court has ordered a series of reports to be compiled before a final decision is reached, including assessments of the boy’s psychological wellbeing and his prospects for rehabilitation. Mr. Grau also requested a youth forensic report to examine his client’s developmental stage at the time of the offence, when he was 16.
The case is scheduled to return to court on December 14. The accused has already spent 21 months in custody, a period that will be taken into account during final sentencing deliberations.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available. You can contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for confidential information and support.
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