A prominent Bundaberg Indigenous leader has been committed to stand trial for sexual assault.
Kerry Blackman, the former chief executive of Gidarjil Development Corporation based in Bundaberg, has been charged with five counts of sexual assault and one count of common assault.
The charges relate to two alleged victims, with the offences allegedly occurring in 2017 and 2023.
His trial date was today set for the June sitting of the Bundaberg District Court.
It follows a longer hearing on Monday when Judge Brad Farr said the case had been “dragging on” and would be proceeding to trial.
Dr Blackman will stand trial in the June sitting of the Bundaberg District Court. (ABC Wide Bay: Grace Whiteside)
Defence solicitor Chanyn Munzer told the court they were still waiting on an alibi statement from the Crown.
Crown prosecutor Miranda Hickey said they too had not been able to obtain the statement to be given by Dr Blackman’s wife.
Ms Hickey told the court a number of attempts had been made to collect the statement by texts, phone calls and through the defendant’s solicitors, with no success.
She said the arresting officer would be attending the woman’s home as the next step.
Judge Farr said that could be done before the trial.