Guilty of sex worker rape
But man with history of attacks yet to be sentenced
A CONVICTED rapist will be sentenced for raping a sex worker after a Cairns District Court jury returned a guilty verdict.
This is not the first time Mark Little has faced court for sexually assaulting a woman.
The 49-year-old’s criminal history includes sexual assaults against three woman in the 1990s. Earlier this week he pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape and one count of burglary over an attack at a Cairns motel in November 2015.
The court was told that Little, wearing a balaclava, sunglasses, black hoodie and black tracksuit pants, had forced his way into the woman’s motel room at the Bohemia Resort. She was forced to the ground and threatened not to scream or she would be killed.
He put a pillowcase over her head, bound and gagged her and then raped her.
The court was closed when she gave evidence and a screen was placed between her and Little.
The pair had met in the weeks leading up to the assault. They had engaged in consensual sex on a number of occasions for drugs or money.
The six-man, six-woman jury rejected Little’s claims over the rape charges, delivering a guilty verdict yesterday afternoon.
However, he was found not guilty of the burglary charge, which was discontinued.
Crown prosecutor Nigel Rees requested an adjournment so a pre-sentence report could be compiled. “(It) may benefit the court in sentencing considering his criminal history,” Mr Rees said.
Defence barrister Josh Trevino did not oppose the adjournment. “The only issue I’d raise is that report should be prepared by a psychiatrist,” Mr Trevino said.
Judge Dean Morzone agreed. Matters were listed for view on August 29.
The Cairns Post would like to assure that this story is not in relation to Dr Mark Little of Cairns Hospital.