Former Jehovah’s Witness elder committed to stand trial accused of Sunshine Coast rapes, sexual abuse
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A former Jehovah’s Witness elder has been committed to stand trial for raping and sexually abusing young men on the Sunshine Coast over a 10-year period.
Police arrested 62-year-old Mooloolaba man Peter Mitchelson in August 2022 and charged him with more than 50 sexual offences, including 21 counts of rape that allegedly occurred at various locations on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane from 2008 to 2018.
The charges relate to five adult male complainants known to Mr Mitchelson through the Jehovah’s Witness faith.
A committal hearing at Maroochydore today heard Mr Mitchelson allegedly used his seniority as a former congregation elder to coerce the younger men to perform sexual acts for his gratification.
Police said the acts were non-consensual and made the alleged victims feel “used, controlled, and lied to”.
Mr Mitchelson was committed to stand trial in the District Court on 53 charges, while charges of incest and torture were dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
Content retrieved from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-20/former-jehovahs-witness-elder-to-stand-trial-accused-of-rape/103612422.
