‘Screaming for help’

Court hears of horror alleyway rape ordeal

A MAN who raped and bashed a woman in a Cairns alleyway in a terrifying random attack will be sentenced later this year after a judge ordered a special report to examine his mental capacity.

The Cairns District Court heard the 22-year-old woman was on a night out with friends in September 2018 when she became separated from them.

Crown prosecutor Gelma Meoli said she joined a group which included local man Alan William Giblet, 28, and was given something to drink which was “very strong”.

Giblet followed her to where she sat on a bench, then led her into an Abbott St alleyway.

Ms Meoli said the woman passed out at some point, before waking up naked to find him sexually assaulting her.

She said the victim rolled over and began vomiting, but Giblet pulled her back and punched her on both sides of the face.

“He threatened to kill the complainant and told her he wanted to keep having sex with her,” Ms Meoli said.

“She was screaming out for help and he was hitting her.”

Following the assault the woman fled the alleyway and found her friends at a nearby nightclub.

Her nose was bleeding and she suffered facial bruising and abrasions along with other injuries.

Giblet was arrested a short time later with police using CCTV to track him.

The court heard he initially denied involvement until DNA confirmed it.

He pleaded guilty to rape and assault occasioning bodily harm on Tuesday.

The court heard Giblet has a lengthy criminal history dating back more than a decade, including multiple violent offences against women, predominantly against a former partner.

“It shows he has little, if any, respect for females,” Ms Meoli said.

But the court heard an application made for him in jail for the National Disability Insurance

Scheme, raised concerns over the extent of his mental health.

Judge Tracy Fantin ordered a further pre-sentence report to look at whether Giblet suffers “any mental disease” and if so, whether there was “causal link” to this offending.

She also asked for the report to consider his risk of reoffending and recommendations for future management of his case.

The sentencing will resume on September 7.