Kallan Ford: What we know about alleged Adelaide work trip rape

Herald Sun

4 days ago

A Victorian businessman who allegedly raped an unconscious woman on Hindley St is a married father and former assistant coach of a junior girls football team.
Kallan Ford, 38, is now in custody in South Australia after he was determined to be too much of a flight risk and bail was revoked over the alleged assault which police say was captured on CCTV footage.
Mr Ford was previously granted bail in the Magistrates Court but the Crown applied to the Supreme Court to have the decision reviewed.
His bail was then revoked by Justice Rachael Gray last month. Who is Kallan Ford?
The general manager of a major pipeline company resides in Plenty, Victoria with his wife and children.
During the bail review hearing, Mr Ford's counsel flagged that his remand in custody would cause 'considerable difficulties' to the company, which employs 120 people.
The court heard Mr Ford and his wife reside in a home valued at $1.7m, with a $1.4m mortgage – with repayments at $9000 a month.
The family's expenditure on school fees is around $55,000 per year, as well as having financial commitments to motor vehicles.
Mr Ford is the main bread winner for his family, with his wife making $700 per week as a real estate assistant.
The court heard the family had been living week to week due to interest rate rises, meaning the family home would be placed in jeopardy if Mr Ford remained in custody.
The Advertiser also understands Mr Ford was formerly the assistant coach of a junior girls football team in Victoria. The Hindley St allegations
During Mr Ford's bail review hearing last month, the court heard the Crown would allege the victim had consumed around 10 alcoholic drinks and recalled walking to a nearby convenience store – on the corner of Morphett and Hindley streets in the early hours of May 22.
Amy Fisher, for the prosecution, said the alleged victim also recalled having nitrous oxide with Mr Ford, whom she had never met, before passing out.
'She awoke some time later to find the defendant having penetrative-vaginal sexual intercourse with her,' Ms Fisher said.
'She eventually managed to rouse herself, fought back and attacked the defendant, ripping his shirt and then dragging him down on to Hindley St where she ultimately flagged down some police who were patrolling the area at 7.37am that morning.'
Ms Fisher said the alleged incident was captured on CCTV, which showed the alleged victim 'entirely unconscious and therefore incapable of consenting to any sexual acts'.
'The defendant can then be seen moving very slowly and carefully, the inference being that he was doing so as not to rouse her,' she said.
'He can also be seen looking up on several occasions. Again that inference being he is checking to make sure that no-one is around.'
The court heard Mr Ford allegedly removed the woman's pants and underwear before raping her.
'The footage clearly shows that the complainant is unconscious throughout this entire incident,' Ms Fisher said.
She submitted it was an 'inevitable' conviction that would carry a lengthy jail term.
Mr Ford is charged with rape and indecent assault. He is yet to enter any pleas. Justice's reasons for revoking Mr Ford's bail
In her ruling, Justice Gray said Mr Ford did not have any connection to South Australia and had planned to be in Adelaide for only five days while attending a work function.
'The prosecution made submissions that the victim is frightened, that if released, the defendant would seek to contact her,' she said.
His counsel emphasised that the investigation was in the early stages, his client had no prior criminal history and the impact his remand in custody would have financially on his family.
Mr Ford, as well as his parents, also each offered $15,000 cash surety to secure his release on bail.
However, Justice Gray revoked Mr Ford's bail, due to the seriousness of the allegations and the 'significant risk' of him failing to answer bail and absconding.
The case was adjourned until August.
Originally published as What we know about the Adelaide rape allegations of Victorian businessman Kallan Ford