Former renowned pub owner pleads guilty to rape

A 35 year old Canberra pub owner admitted to being a serial rapist, having filmed himself having sex with a woman as she slept.

He also admitted to revenge porn and being a child sex offender.

On Tuesday, the pub owner, who is in jail, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court via phone, where he entered more than a dozen guilty pleas in relation to numerous sex offences against two women and a child that took place over a decade.

Among his charges are an indecent act in the presence of a child, repeated acts of indecency on two women, and distribution of intimate images of one woman.

The former plumber, who cannot be named for legal reasons, became a prominent hospitality figure in Canberra, renowned for his hospitality work.

This is despite a previous victim describing his history of revenge porn against her as “vile”.

Defence lawyer Peter Woodhouse said the charges came after police analysis of computer equipment seized from the man’s home.

The pub owner has been in jail since last year, and the charges are likely to see him locked away for many years to come.

The man was committed to the Supreme Court by Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker on 18 March, where he is listed for a brief administrative hearing.

11th March 2021