In R v SDG [2024] QDC 85, the defendant, SDG, faced three charges related to the alleged sexual offenses against a child under 16 years. After a judge-alone trial, SDG was found not guilty on all counts, including repeated sexual conduct with a child (Count 1), and two counts of rape (Counts 2 and 3). The court highlighted the fundamental principles of criminal law regarding the presumption of innocence and the prosecution's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial examined the credibility and reliability of the complainant's testimony, which was found inconsistent and vague, leading to uncertainty about the alleged offenses' occurrence. Ultimately, the lack of corroborating evidence and significant contradictions in the complainant's account led to the acquittal of the defendant on all charges.
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