Teen charged with rape and home invasion tried to break into the same residence earlier, court hears
The teenager's charges have been read in the Cairns Children's Court. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
In short:
A teenager accused of raping a woman during a Cairns home invasion has had his case moved up to the Cairns District Court for trial.
As the boy's charges were read, the court heard one related to an attempted break-in the same residence a day prior to the attack.
What’s next?
He is yet to enter a plea and will return to court next year.
A teenager accused of raping a woman during a Cairns home invasion allegedly attempted to break into the same property hours earlier, the Cairns Children's Court has been told.
The boy, who was 15 at the time of the alleged offences, appeared by video link in court on Friday alongside his lawyer as his charges were read aloud.
He initially faced 16 counts relating to alleged offending on February 20 and 21 this year.
One charge of entering a premises was dropped after prosecutors told the court there was no evidence to support it, leaving 15 charges.
Eleven of those related to a home invasion in Manunda, a suburb of Cairns, allegedly involving the boy and two other youths.
The charges include five rape charges, entering a dwelling with intent, two deprivation of liberty charges, being armed in company, and two robbery charges.
The alleged home invasion and rape occurred at Manunda, a suburb of Cairns. (ABC News: Conor Byrne)
Police say the boy "unlawfully confined" a man at knifepoint before attacking a woman inside the home.
Magistrate Terence Browne told the court the woman was held "in a bedroom against her will".
The court heard one charge related to an alleged attempt to enter the same property the day before.
"The allegation is that there was a break-in at the same residence less than 12 hours prior," the boy's lawyer Peta Dent told the court.
The boy has not entered pleas.
He was committed to stand trial and had his case moved to the Cairns District Court for a judge-only hearing, with a date to be decided.
"A big step was taken in your case today," Magistrate Browne told the teenager.
The court also heard the boy faced four additional charges over further alleged break-ins at Manunda and Edge Hill on the same day, including accusations of stealing and unlawfully using a Toyota Camry.
He was remanded in custody to appear in court for a further hearing in January.