Doctor Douglas William McCarthy admits sexually assaulting two teenage girls
WARNING: This article contains details some readers may find distressing.
Douglas William McCarthy, 63, is on trial in the WA District Court on sex charges related to eight girls, most of whom were aged 14 and 15 at the time of the alleged offending.
The court had heard Mr McCarthy allegedly paid girls for photos, and engaged in sexual acts with them, even keeping a "video library".
On Monday morning, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual penetration involving one victim, and two counts of sexual penetration involving another victim.
Both girls were aged between 13 and 16 at the time.
But Mr McCarthy is maintaining he is not guilty of "persistent sexual conduct" involving those girls, which requires three or more separate incidents to be proven.
His trial on those charges, and others involving other alleged victims, is continuing.
Mr McCarthy largely practised as a GP in the state's South West region when he committed the alleged offences but has since been suspended.
The pleas in front of the jury trial came after several days of evidence from alleged victims, both in police interviews and direct testimony to the court.
One alleged victim who gave evidence to the court said she had "non-consensual sex" with Mr McCarthy three times and went on to describe one instance in a bathroom.
"He didn't ask, he just told," she said.
Another alleged victim said she was 15 when she went to see Mr McCarthy at his home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her on a massage table.
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News.com.au
28 minutes ago
- News.com.au
New campaign for probe into 2012 death of gold prospector Bruce Schuler
Serious concerns linger over the evidence used to convict a husband and wife of murder on a remote Queensland property 13 years ago, as they face dying behind bars. Dianne Wilson-Struber and Stephen Struber were found guilty at trial of killing gold prospector Bruce Schuler, 48, at the couple's giant Cape York leasehold in July 2012. Mr Schuler's body has never been found, but police alleged in a circumstantial case that he was shot dead by the Strubers before they hid his remains. Both Dianne and Stephen maintain they had nothing to do with Mr Schuler's disappearance and their case led to the introduction of 'no body, no parole' laws in the Sunshine State. Retired detective Graeme Crowley, who wrote a book and made a podcast about the investigation and trial, said 140 'discrepancies' he has identified led him to believe the wrong people might be in jail. 'There are there are serious concerns with the investigation, there are serious concerns with the evidence, there are serious concerns with the way the prosecutor presented the evidence,' he told 'So if you accept any or all of those, then likely they didn't commit this murder.' Family of Ms Wilson-Struber in March launched a petition to the Queensland government for a long-awaited inquest to be held into Mr Schuler's disappearance. Petition author Sharon Ferguson wrote that the inquest would enable legal teams currently investigating the case to test evidence brought against her sister, Dianne. But Mr Schuler's widower, Fiona Splitt, has condemned the campaign and says the only mystery is the location of her husband's body. No body, no weapons Mr Schuler disappeared from Palmerville Station, a property twice the size of Singapore, after camping there overnight with his dog Red and three prospecting friends on July 8, 2012. They did not have permission to be on the land, and the Queensland Supreme Court heard Struber had confronted one of the party for trespassing a week earlier. On the morning of July 9, Mr Schuler's companions reported hearing two gunshots ring out 10 to 15 minutes apart coming from the direction he was last seen. They later gave evidence at trial of seeing a car belonging to the Strubers driving toward a key crime scene. After searching for Mr Schuler, his friends reported him missing to police that night. Police arrived the next morning to conduct a wide-ranging land, water and air search, and executed a search warrant at the Schuler's home. Officers discovered three of the Strubers' large array of guns – two .22 calibre rifles and a .357 magnum – were missing, and the couple was arrested for questioning. They were not charged with Mr Schuler's murder until October 30, 2012, without police finding the Mareeba man's remains. 'There's no body, there's no cause of death, the witnesses didn't see Bruce Schuler shot, they didn't see him carried away,' Mr Crowley said. 'All they heard was two gunshots. And from there, the police concluded he was murdered.' The evidence What police did find during the searches of Palmerville Station was tyre marks in cow pats and burnt patches of grass near where Mr Schuler was reportedly last seen. There were two pieces of twine containing his DNA and spent projectiles found in bloodstained glass. Mr Schuler's DNA was also located on a bloodstained leaf, a white film canister, and four partially burnt matches. Forensic officers noted damaged trees and a broken termite mound consistent with recent vehicle contact, which they said showed marks matching Mr Struber's vehicle. Police later established that Wilson-Struber made an anonymous call to the Palmerville Station homestead from a payphone in Mareeba three days after Mr Schuler disappeared. She advised the officer who answered that the police were looking in the wrong spot and that they should be looking '12-15km east'. At trial, Struber stated he and his wife had spent the day of July 9, 2012 repairing a loader and were not in the area where shots were reported. 'We weren't there,' he said. A jury rejected this claim, after deliberating for just four hours, and Justice Jim Henry sentenced them both to life in prison. The couple's subsequent appeals over their convictions also failed. Ms Splitt's campaigning led to the introduction of 'no body, no parole' laws in Queensland in 2017, after more than 8000 people signed her petition. The U-turn One of the key 'discrepancies' Mr Crowley zeroed in on during his research is what witnesses said about a four-wheel-drive seen at the time shots were reported. It was alleged at trial that after first being shot at, Mr Schuler ran up a steep gully toward a secondary crime scene. The Strubers were said to have driven their car from where the first shot was fired 200m away to the second site where the blood and burnt patches were found. 'But all three prospectors told the police after the first shot, the car drove about somewhere between 20 and 50m,' Mr Crowley said. 'When it got the trial, the jury didn't hear that.' Mr Crowley said the prosecutor instead put to the witnesses that the car was seen heading in a northerly direction, toward crime scene two, to which they agreed. He said this 'one of the most important, disturbing, significant discrepancies' in the case. 'Because how do you murder someone … how do you put a body on the trail of the ute … if the ute does not go to the crime scene?' A new campaign Ms Ferguson is firm in her belief that her sister, Wilson-Struber, is innocent. She described her sister as a 'happy, caring, loving person' before the incident that changed their family – who had been in possession of Palmerville since the 1960s – forever. 'She cared about people, animals. She enjoyed her lifestyle on the property because she grew up on that property, and it was just part of her life.' Ms Ferguson's petition calling for an inquest to finally be held into the matter gained more than 5000 signatures, and is due to be introduced to parliament in August. A coroner handed down non-inquest findings in 2016, following the Strubers' convictions and based on police material and evidence heard at trial. 'I was very disappointed with that,' Ms Ferguson said. 'I think if they would have done a proper coronial inquest in the first place, maybe they would've been a lot more answers. 'The ultimate, result for me would be that we find out what really happened to Bruce Schuler, where his body may be. 'So his family can have closure and the right people who committed this crime can be incarcerated for what they did.' Ms Ferguson said a new legal team had been engaged to prepare a fresh court appeal, which could be heard in November. Ms Splitt recently told the Cairns Post that the latest wave of attention on the case had taken a toll on her family. Although she has also wanted an inquest to be held, she rejected the assertion that the petition was also aimed at supporting Bruce. 'The insensitive comments and things that people say on social media and calls for an inquest take an immense mental and emotional toll … and it is hurting my family and Bruce's family,' she said. 'We have trusted the legal process throughout this entire ordeal, and we trust that the authorities will continue their investigation based on the facts, evidence, and proper legal procedure. 'We are confident that the truth will prevail if we continue to focus on the facts and not get sidetracked by distractions.'
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Elderly man charged with murder after woman's stabbing
An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 An elderly man has been charged with the murder of a woman, while another man in his 20s is fighting for life following separate overnight stabbing attacks across two states. Homicide Squad detectives were investigating an attack on an elderly woman who was found fatally injured at a house in Coleraine, about 35km from Hamilton, in Victoria's southwest. Local officers found the 81-year-old woman alive shortly after 1am on Saturday, but she died at the scene. Police arrested and interviewed an 81-year-old Coleraine man who was known to the victim before charging him with murder on Saturday evening. He has been remanded in custody and will face the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Monday. In a separate incident, two men were also stabbed at a house gathering in Sydney's west overnight, one of them suffering critical wounds. Emergency crews were called to a residential unit in Patricia Street, Mays Hill, in the city's inner west, in the early hours of Saturday following reports a man in his 20s had sustained serious injuries. He was located and treated at the scene by paramedics for an apparent life-threatening knife wound to the torso before being taken to Westmead Hospital. Police said a second man of similar age was found nearby with a wound to his arm. He was also transported to Westmead. It is understood the pair and others at the address were known to each other. The Coleraine incident comes days after an Australia-first knife ban targeting young offenders. Victorian parents were urged on Thursday to hand in their children's machetes and knives at police amnesty posts. A total of 45 stations across the state will host disposal bins set up for the three-month initiative. Carrying one of the deadly, long and broad-bladed knives is outlawed, while a sales ban with some exemptions is already operating. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Pure evil': Epstein survivors and their families horrified as co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell suddenly framed as a ‘victim'
Multiple victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell have expressed their disgust at suggestions she could receive 'preferential treatment' from the government, or perhaps even a presidential pardon. They are increasingly, palpably worried that Maxwell's monstrous crimes, particularly those committed against underage girls, are being forgotten. Maxwell, who has never admitted to her role in Epstein's sex trafficking scheme, was the person chiefly responsible for procuring minors for him to abuse. She enticed them into his orbit, groomed them, and used various methods to keep them trapped. The victims have long alleged that Maxwell also participated in the sexual abuse. Last month, as the Trump administration struggled to neutralise a public backlash against its handling of the Epstein files, the man Donald Trump had appointed Deputy Attorney-General – his own former defence lawyer, Todd Blanche – went to visit Maxwell. Mr Blanche spoke to Epstein's partner and chief co-conspirator for two days. Lawyers representing Maxwell, who are currently trying to get the Supreme Court to throw out her convictions on child sex trafficking charges, later said she had discussed about a hundred people connected to the Epstein case. Obvious fears arose among Maxwell's victims. Did the government intend to seek a shortening of her 20-year prison sentence in exchange for her co-operation? Was President Trump open to pardoning her, which would set her free immediately? And how would the obvious conflicts of interest be navigated? Mr Trump, who was friends with Epstein and Maxwell for about 15 years and whose name reportedly appears 'multiple times' in the Epstein files, wants to be absolved of any suggestion he was involved in their crimes (and, we should note, there is at the moment no evidence he was). Maxwell, obviously, wants to get out of jail, something she almost certainly cannot achieve without Mr Trump's grace. Every incentive compels her to be, ahem, helpful to the President. And this is someone with a long record of lying, including while under oath. Perhaps nothing is amiss, but the ingredients for a potentially corrupt quid pro quo are there. You can understand why Epstein's survivors are suspicious. Two other elements have fed into their building unease. First, on the fringes of America's right-wing media, some bloviaters have started to speak of Maxwell as a 'victim'. 'I think this is great,' Newsmax anchor Greg Kelly said last week, for example, referring to the government's overtures towards her. 'I do have a feeling that she just might be a victim. She just might be. There was a rush to judgment, there was a lot of chaos there for a while. 'Granted, she hung out with Jeffrey Epstein, and I know that's apparently not good.' Apparently! (Oh, and Maxwell did much more than merely 'hang out' with Epstein, as we shall explore in a moment. Apparently some folks need to be reminded.) Second, today we learned that the government had quietly moved Maxwell from her jail in Florida to a lower security one in Texas, which houses several female celebrity inmates. The fraudster Elizabeth Holmes is there, for example. Why move Maxwell? That has not been explained. Hence an angry statement released today, co-signed by Annie and Maria Farmer, both of whom were victims of Epstein and Maxwell, plus the family of Virginia Giuffre, who did so much to expose the pair's crimes before taking her own life earlier this year. 'It is with horror and outrage that we object to the preferential treatment convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has received,' the statement reads. 'Ghislaine Maxwell is a sexual predator who physically assaulted minor children on multiple occasions, and she should never be shown any leniency. 'Yet, without any notification to the Maxwell victims, the government overnight has moved Maxwell to a minimum security prison. This is the justice system failing victims right before our eyes. 'The American public should be enraged by the preferential treatment being given to a pedophile and a criminally charged child sex offender. 'The Trump administration should not credit a word Maxwell says, as the government itself sought charges against her for being a serial liar. 'This move smacks of a cover-up. The victims deserve better.' Some other remarks worth mentioning, here. 'My little sister is one of her victims, and so am I,' Maria Farmer told MSNBC, slamming politicians who 'want to entertain Ghislaine Maxwell' and 'act like we victims should not be heard from'. Her sister Annie told The Daily Mail any deal between the government and Maxwell would 'be devastating' and 'feel like a slap in the face'. 'It doesn't sit well that this is all happening without any involvement from the people they asked to testify in her case, or other victims,' she said. 'It's hard not to be anxious.' Theresa Helm said any leniency shown towards Maxwell 'would mean the complete crumbling of this justice system'. 'We all deserve a pathway to justice. We don't deserve to have it, yet again, robbed from us,' she told MSNBC. 'It truly does seem like an upside down world.' During an interview about Maxwell's case in 2021, which feels relevant in this discussion, Sarah Ransome described Maxwell as 'the chief orchestrator' who had 'forced' her into the room where Epstein raped her. 'It actually makes me sick that she is claiming to be a victim, or have any form of innocence' said Ms Ransome. 'This is the same woman that grabbed my arm and forced me into a room to be raped by Jeffrey. It was brutal. 'And I remember limping from Jeffrey's bedroom. I remember looking at Ghislaine, and she had this evil smirk on her face. She knew I was there to be raped, and she enjoyed it.' Speaking to CNN this week Ms Giuffre's brother, Sky Roberts, said Maxwell 'deserves to rot in prison, where she belongs'. 'Because of what she's done to my sister, and so many other women. It's absolutely a pure sense of evil,' Mr Roberts said. 'She wasn't stolen. She was preyed upon,' he added, alluding to Mr Trump's complaint this week that Epstein 'stole' staff from his Mar-a-Lago resort, including Ms Giuffre. '(Maxwell) wasn't just a recruiter. She participated, and viciously participated, with these girls, abusing them.' He said his sister described Maxwell as a 'monster' from 'a nightmare'. Journalist Tara Palmeri, who has reported extensively on the Epstein case and knows multiple victims, described recent events as 'infuriating'. 'Because I know so much about her. I know the damage she did to these girls,' Ms Palmeri said on her YouTube channel. 'So many of them are more angry with her, for the abuse, than Epstein. She was the one that violated them. She was the one that called Annie Farmer's mother and said, 'Don't worry, I'll take care of her, you can let her go to the ranch.' That was where Ghislaine Maxwell was the first one to touch Annie, and then Epstein jumped in. 'She was involved in the actual molestation of these girls. She didn't just bring them to Jeffrey Epstein.' All these comments are worth remembering, going forward. Ghislaine Maxwell was not Epstein's sidekick, she was his partner, and is no less culpable. She wasn't pulled into the web of his sex trafficking scheme – if anything, she was chiefly responsible for weaving it. She should not be pitied. Or trusted.
