September 11, 2025
Goomeri businessman Joe Prendergast has been committed to face trial in the Kingaroy District Court on 16 charges, including 10 charges of rape.
Prendergast was listed to appear in Murgon Magistrates Court on Thursday.
He entered pleas of not guilty to the charges:
- 1 x carnal knowledge with a child under 16
- 1 x attempted indecent treatment of a child under 16 (procure to commit)
- 2 x indecent treatment of a child under 16
- 2 x sexual assault
- 10 x rape
One charge of rape was withdrawn.
Prendergast was originally charged by police in June 2023.
The charges relate to alleged incidents between September 2017 and January 2020; and December 2022 and February 2023.
The District Court trial will take place at a date to be fixed.
[UPDATED with correction. “Not guilty” pleas were entered, not “No pleas”]
