Four granted bail

Press, 12 October 1985, Page 4

Four granted bail

Four men held in custody on charges relating to the rape of a woman, aged 19, at a gang headquarters two weeks ago, were granted bail in the High Court by Mr Justice Hardie Boys yesterday. Each was granted bail of 15000, with two sureties of the same amount.

Daily reporting to the police was ordered and the four accused were warned that there was to be no intimidation of witnesses.

Barry George Ramage, aged 22, a storeman, Brian North Wilson, aged 27, a driver, Wayne Allen Pearson, aged 24, a construction worker, and Mark Andrew Sutherland, aged 28, a mechanic, were each re-

manded to December 16 for the taking of depositions which are expected to take at least two days. Ramage was originally charged with attempted rape. Yesterday he faced three new charges of indecently assaulting the woman.

Sutherland is charged with rape, Wilson faces two charges of rape and two of indecent assault, and Pearson is charged with attempted rape and indecent assault.

Bail was initially refused when the accused appeared before Judge Frampton in the District Court, and then by Mr Justice Williamson in the High Court. At the original court ap-

pearance of the accused police opposed bail. The alleged offending was said by police to be gang-related and involving “the vicious attack and rape of a defenceless 19-year-old woman at a gdng headquarters.” Although not seriously inujured the complainant required medical attention. Police were also concerned for the safety of independent witnesses should bail be granted. Ramage is represented by Mr M. J. Glue, Pearson and Sutherland by Mr D. C. Fitzgibbon, and Wilson by Mr A. N. D. Garrett. ; Counsel indicated to his Honour that the charges would be “vigorously” denied.