ASTOUNDING: TIME OFF BEFORE YOU GO TO JAIL!

An Ipswich judge yesterday granted a man five weeks of freedom to spend time with his children and sick grandmother despite pleading guilty to tethering, digitally raping and threatening to kill his children's mother. District Court Judge Deborah Richards yesterday granted the man bail to get his affairs in order, which included quitting his full-time job, spending time with his 85-year-old grandmother and organising supervised visits with his young children before he was jailed for up to six years. Under Queensland Law, accused criminals are usually only afforded bail until they are either convicted or plead guilty to crimes of a serious nature.

The man, 31, was to stand trial on Thursday, but changed his mind at the 11th hour to plead guilty to one count each of rape, deprivation of liberty and assault causing bodily harm of his former wife on May 10 last year. Barrister Steve Kissick, for the accused man – who cannot be named to protect his victim's identity – said his client was undergoing outpatient hospital treatment for a psychological condition and wanted four to six weeks to get his affairs in order. Mr Kissick said the man, 31, was not a flight risk, did not pose a threat to his victim and was aware he would be jailed for a long time. He said the man lived with his elderly grandmother and wanted to be there to support her when she received eye surgery on Monday and to spend time with her and his children outside of a prison environment.

The court was told the man digitally raped his children's mother with numerous fingers, telling her that if she intended to leave him he would "guarantee" she could never have any more children. Prosecutor Michael Lehane said the man had previously breached his bail conditions, had ample time to get his affairs in order and is alleged to have asked his former partner to drop her rape complaint less than a week ago. Mr Lehane said the Crown did not oppose bail, but argued the man was expected to be jailed after a trial that would have ultimately ended with him being found guilty of all the charges and jailed for between five to six years. He said the man choked his wife, tied her up, digitally raped her and threatened to kill her with a sword.

Judge Richards yesterday granted the man bail, saying she accepted there were special circumstances in this case to allow him to live in the community until sentenced on May 20. .....

From here


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