Former celebrity manager Ralph Carr has been sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a woman at his Melbourne home. The case has brought significant public attention with headlines declaring Ralph Carr jailed.
According to ABC News, the 66-year-old was sentenced in the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday after a jury found him guilty last month of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Carr eligible for parole after four years
The court ordered that Carr will become eligible for parole after serving four years of his sentence.
Judge Frank Gucciardo described his offending as “appalling” while highlighting the breach of trust involved in the case.
The convictions relate to an incident at Carr’s West Melbourne home in March 2023 involving a woman who had previously worked for Ralph Carr Management.
She had reconnected with Carr before he offered her work on another project and the pair arranged to meet.
Jury accepts woman’s account
Evidence accepted by the jury showed that Carr made sexual advances towards the woman after they had spent part of the evening socialising.
She repeatedly rejected his advances before the sexual assault and rape occurred.
Carr pleaded not guilty throughout the case and continues to maintain his innocence.
His lawyers had sought to delay the commencement of his sentence while pursuing an appeal, but the judge rejected the application.
Legal team plans appeal
Carr’s lawyers have indicated that they intend to challenge the convictions.
His identity had previously been protected by a suppression order, but that restriction was lifted earlier this month.
The case has attracted particular attention because Carr spent decades working within Australia’s entertainment and sports industries.
His former clients have included musicians and media personalities, while he was previously married to singer Tina Arena.
Carr will now begin serving his sentence while the proposed appeal moves through the legal system.
