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AAP
AAP
National
Rex Martinich

Couple found guilty of raping teenage girl after party

Lee and Christopher Hili (right) have been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

A married couple held each other in the dock after they were both found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl following a party at their house.

Christopher Luke Hili and Lee Kathleen Hili had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, one count of exposing a child to an indecent act and one of exposing a child to an indecent film.

Christopher Hili also pleaded not guilty to two counts of supplying cannabis to a child.

The jury returned its verdicts in Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday after deliberating for about two hours following a five-day trial and found both defendants guilty on all counts.

Christopher Luke Hili leaves the Supreme Court
Christopher Hili looked back at a supporter in the public gallery as the jury delivered a verdict. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Lee Hili yelled out "no" as the jury delivered a verdict of guilty against her husband.

Christopher Hili looked back at a supporter in the public gallery.

Lee HIli started sobbing as the jury delivered guilty verdicts against her and continued to cry throughout the hearing.

The victim's testimony was pre-recorded and shown in closed court and no forensic medical or DNA evidence was presented.

Crown prosecutor Melissa Wilson said two 15-year-old girls had attended an evening party at the Hilis' 12-hectare property in the Gold Coast region in December 2021.

"Christopher Hili rolled a joint of cannabis and offered it to (the girls) and they smoked it," Ms Wilson said.

She said the girls also consumed alcohol, causing one of them to vomit and be taken downstairs to lie down.

Ms Wilson said Lee Hili started asking "inappropriate" questions about one of the girl's sexual preferences and experience while her friend was downstairs.

Lee Hili
Lee Hili denied assaulting the girl or being present while she was assaulted (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

"She asked if she was bisexual, how old she was. (The girl) responded that she was only 15 and not bisexual," Ms Wilson said.

The prosecutor said the girl was taken downstairs by the Hilis and thought she was being taken to her friend but was instead taken to the couple's bedroom.

The girl said she passed out when Christopher Hili started touching her and then woke up naked while he sexually assaulted her as Lee Hili stroked her hair.

The girl said she cried and he told her to be quiet before passing out again and waking up to being assaulted by Lee Hili while the Hilis had sex and a pornographic movie was playing on the bedroom's TV.

Lee Hili chose to take the witness stand in her own defence and denied assaulting the girl or being present while she was assaulted.

She also claimed the victim's mother visited the couple's home and demanded $50,000 in return for avoiding "trouble" a few days before a sexual assault complaint was made to police.

Christopher Hili's defence barrister earlier on Friday told the jury to pay attention to the victim's "unspoken words" as she had not mentioned  Lee Hili's extensive tattoos during interviews with police.

Following the jury's verdicts, Justice Paul Freeburn adjourned a joint sentencing for the couple until June 20.

The couple were remanded in custody having previously been granted bail before and during the trial.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

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