World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Teenager found guilty of one rape count over Queensland home invasion
A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of one rape count linked to a home invasion in Manunda, Far North Queensland.
The attack happened in February 2025, when three teenage boys broke into a couple’s home and demanded their wallets.
During the incident, the accused held the woman’s partner in a bedroom with a knife while two other boys raped the woman.
The case turned on whether he knew the others intended to rape her and helped them by stopping her partner from intervening.
The judge found him not guilty of the other four rape counts; he had already pleaded guilty to several other offences, including armed robbery and unlawful detention.
His two co-offenders, who also pleaded guilty, are due to face sentencing next month.
A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of one count of rape over a home invasion in Manunda, Far North Queensland.
Judge Joshua Treviño KC found him not guilty of four other rape counts.
The boy argued he did not know his co-offenders intended to rape the woman.
Prosecutors argued he was liable because he prevented the woman’s partner from intervening.
He pleaded guilty to unlawful detention, armed robbery, breaking and entering, and theft charges.
- Who
- A 17-year-old boy was found guilty. Two other teenage boys were also involved.
- What
- The boy was found guilty of one rape count and not guilty of four others.
- When
- The home invasion occurred on February 21, 2025. The verdict was delivered on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- A home in Manunda, Far North Queensland; the trial was held in Cairns.
- Why
- Prosecutors argued he enabled the rape by preventing the woman’s partner from intervening. The boy said he did not know his co-offenders intended to rape her.
Prosecution
Defence
Awareness of planned rape
Prosecution
The boy knew his co-offenders intended to rape the woman and aided or enabled the assault.
Defence
The boy believed the others intended to rob the woman and did not hear or understand that they would rape her.
Responsibility
Prosecution
He was liable because he prevented the woman’s partner from intervening.
Defence
He should not be held responsible for rape because he did not know of the intended sexual assault.
Three boys broke into a home in Manunda at about 3am and entered the couple’s bedroom with weapons.
The two co-offenders, both then aged 17, pleaded guilty to all 11 charges.
The boy faced a judge-alone trial in Cairns over three days.
Judge Joshua Treviño KC found the boy guilty of one rape count and not guilty of four others.
The two co-offenders are due to face a sentencing hearing.
- Verdict
- Guilty of one rape count; not guilty of four others
- Accused
- 17-year-old boy
- Location
- Manunda, Far North Queensland
- Date of home invasion
- February 21, 2025
- Trial court
- Cairns
- Co-offenders
- Two teenage boys, both then aged 17, pleaded guilty to all 11 charges
What people are saying
aided or enabled