Man’s alleged rape threats

Lawyer says messages ‘off the cuff’, not genuine

A NORLANE man allegedly told another man he would rape his family if a $3000 gift was not repaid.

Chase Simpson is also accused of sending a picture of himself with a shotgun to the man.

In a voice note, Mr Simpson allegedly told the man he would rape his family.

“If you don’t pay me, c---, I’m going to get the boys to come to your house, to your mum’s house, I’m going to duct tape her, your mum, dad and sister, and I’m going to rape them all,” he allegedly said.

Mr Simpson asked the Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday to downgrade the charges from making threats to inflict serious injury and making a threat of a sexual offence, to using a carriage service to harass.

Mr Simpson has not yet entered an official plea.

His lawyer told the court the messages were “off the cuff in anger in an attempt to intimidate the victim and there was no genuine intent to carry out those threats”.

But, Magistrate Anne McGarvie said she “really disagreed” with that argument.

“If it was going to be ‘I’m going to come around and rape your family’, I would have considered that off the cuff. But this was very specific,” Ms McGarvie said.

“It’s extremely specific with the duct tape.”

Mr Simpson also allegedly sent a message to the man making expletive-laden threats to the man’s partner and said he was going to “let shots off up and down your court”.

“Bro (sic) you don’t want me to go around to your place and start asking. (I’ll) send a bunch of people, I’m over this s--t. I’ve got nothing to lose.

I’m going to flip soon,” another text allegedly read.

The court heard the alleged threats were sent to the man after Mr Simpson gifted him $3000 and then decided he wanted it back.

Police allege the man told officers Mr Simpson had sold several guns and was trying to sell him one before sending the text messages.

The man said he was “very frightened” of the alleged threats because of Mr Simpson’s connection to “violent criminals”.

“It’s horrifying for anyone to receive threats like that,” Ms McGarvie said.

Mr Simpson’s matter will return to court at a later date.