Alleged Busselton rapist internet searched ‘how to get my stepdaughter to sleep with me,’ court told

A Busselton man accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter allegedly searched “how to get my stepdaughter to sleep with me” on the internet. The 31-year-old man, who cannot be identified to protect the child’s identity, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with sexually penetrating a child younger than 13 sometime between May 1 and August 21, 2023. Prosecuting officer Sergeant Tim Concannon told the court police seized the accused’s laptop and phone, with a download of his online search history revealing he looked up “how to get my stepdaughter to sleep with me”. The accused man appeared via videolink from Bunbury Regional Prison, with the court told the complainant was the daughter of the man’s partner. Defence lawyer Ian MacFarlane told the court the complainant had spoken to the investigating officer after the event and said the alleged assaults did not occur. Mr MacFarlane said his client told him the complainant’s mother had left the home for about five minutes when the assault is alleged to have happened. Magistrate Anthony Sullivan said the girl not co-operating with police or being hostile about the allegations could have been a “coping mechanism” and the statement “was not particularly persuasive”. Sgt Concannon said if the man was released, he would live with the girl’s mother, but her two children would not live with them. He said there were questions around whether drugs were involved and he “strongly opposed bail,” with no conditions sufficient to protect the girl. Mr MacFarlane said he worried his client would spend a long time in custody until trial while applying for bail. Mr Sullivan said the “major concern” on his part was “protecting the complainant” as he granted the man bail. Mr Sullivan imposed conditions to protect the child including a five-year family violence restraining order. Other conditions included a $5500 surety, prohibiting the accused from leaving the State or country, and having him surrender his passport. Sexual Assault Resource Centre 1800 199 888