Judge: Manager's Appeal a 'Hurdle to Jump'

In a Victorian county court hearing on Tuesday, judge Frank Gucciardo indicated that former talent manager Ralph Carr faces a significant obstacle in his attempt to stay his rape conviction sentence until his appeal is heard. Carr's lawyer, Dermot Dann KC, argued that the case represented a 'miscarriage of justice,' particularly concerning evidence given by the victim in a closed court.

Dann asserted that those who heard the victim's testimony should be concerned about the verdict, a sentiment Gucciardo rebuked, stating it was inappropriate to claim others had 'lost sight' of justice. The judge emphasized that he himself was not 'troubled' by the verdict and that Carr's legal team would need to 'persuade' him to grant the stay.

Carr, convicted last month of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against a former employee in March 2023, is also seeking the stay based on 16 aspects of trial evidence and concerns for his mental health. Gucciardo noted that granting such a stay in a sexual offending case would be historically unprecedented in Victoria. A decision on the application and Carr's sentence is expected next week.