Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Evangelist raped choir girls: prosecutor
A church leader accused of abusing kids while they were at his home for choir practice has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges.
November 27, 2018
A Queensland evangelist exploited his leadership position at a Pentecostal church to allegedly rape young choir girls in this care, a court has heard.
Shartiel Nibigira, 43, has pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane District Court to 18 charges, including six counts of rape and nine of indecent treatment of a child in his care.
Crown prosecutor Natalie Lima told his trial, Nibigira’s alleged victims were aged between nine and 11 years old and were abused at his house or while he was driving them home after choir practice between 2011 and 2013.
“The defendant’s house was used for choir practice and other church activities. He regularly drove children to and from choir practice and other activities,” she said.
The defendant abused the girls before, during and after choir practice, Ms Lima said.
During an excursion to a swimming pool, the defendant took one of his victims on a side trip to a nearby shopping centre.
Nibigira raped her twice in the front seat of his vehicle, only stopping when she cried.
“The real issue for this trial is whether these events happened as the children described,” Ms Lima said.
The trial is expected to take 10 days.