Cootharinga North Queensland carer jailed for trying to rape a severely disabled woman

A carer has been sentenced to jail after being found guilty of trying to rape a severely disabled women who was in his care. 

David Jack Peter Cottam, 24, was a carer with Cootharinga North Queensland when he attempted to rape a women in his care who could not speak, walk or defend herself in any way the Townsville Bulletin reported. 

The victim, a 44-year-old women, suffers from epilepsy, cerebral palsy, microcephaly and an intellectual impairment.

 David Jack Peter Cottam, 24 has been sentenced to jail in the Townsville District Court (pictured) after being found guilty of trying to rape a severely disabled women who was in his care

Cottam’s defence barrister Anthony Collins told the Townsville District Court that it was obvious his client was suffering from an ‘underlying condition’ which was in direct contrast to findings from a court appointed psychologist. 

The psychologist could not find any evidence of a ‘diagnosable issue’ for Cottam. 

A letter from Cottam’s father was also submitted to the court which said Cottam has experienced a ‘traumatic upbringing’ brought on by his parents separation and school yard bullying. 

The victim’s sister told media after the case that Cottam had no comprehension of what a traumatic upbringing really was. 

‘As they were reading out what a hard life is I was like you’ve got to be kidding, my sister has never walked on the earth in her life, she lives in pain, can’t talk,’ she said. 

Cottam was a carer with Cootharinga North Queensland (pictured) when he attempted to rape a women in his care who could not speak, walk or defend herself in any way

Cottam was a carer with Cootharinga North Queensland (pictured) when he attempted to rape a women in his care who could not speak, walk or defend herself in any way

She said she found the claims both ‘disgusting’ and ‘confronting’. 

The court heard that the incident took place on December 26, 2016 and shortly after the incident Cottam was brought before Cootharinga management where he admitted to the wrong doing. 

He told them he had committed the vile act for his own ‘sexual gratification’ 

Cottam was sentenced to three years imprisonment and will be eligible for parole in 12 months.  



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