Celebrity agent Ralph Carr can be named as the Melbourne businessman who was found guilty of rape last month.
Carr, a well-known figure in Melbourne entertainment circles, has represented artists and athletes for decades, including former AFL star Dustin Martin and singer Kate Ceberano.
On Monday, a longstanding suppression order over the 66-year-old’s name was lifted by the County Court.
Carr’s barrister Dermot Dann KC said his client would abandon a legal bid to extend the gag order, which was first put in place in 2023.
Mr Dann said his client would be appealing the verdicts of a jury, after the panel last week found him guilty of the rape and sexual assault of a woman at his home.
Mr Dann called the outcome a miscarriage of justice, but did not provide further details.
“Our client maintains his innocence,” Mr Dann said.
“No jury acting reasonably or rationally could have arrived at the guilty verdicts.”
Carr is yet to be sentenced.
Ralph Carr has been named as the Melbourne businessman found guilty of rape. (ABC News)
Prosecutors alleged Carr committed the attack against a woman at his West Melbourne home in March 2023, after a night when the pair had been drinking and taking drugs.
He pleaded not guilty at the trial, with his legal team telling the jury that the woman’s allegations were false.
However, prosecutor Matthew Fisher told the jury she was a credible witness who had not changed her story throughout the legal process.
Carr was visibly distraught when the verdict was handed down and he was taken into custody.
On Monday, he appeared in the court dock without the dark black wig he wore during his trial.
Lawyers argued Carr was was risk of self-harm
Carr had been able to stop the broader public from knowing about his connection to the case because of a suppression order applied for by his lawyers.
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Until today, media outlets were not able to identify Carr or even run a pixelated photo of him when reporting on his legal matter.
The suppression order was granted under Section 18(1)(c) of Victoria’s Open Courts Act, after Carr’s lawyers argued his personal safety would be placed at risk if he was named in the media.
Carr’s lawyers had argued that he was at risk of self-harm if the wider public knew he was charged with rape.
“His mental picture is dire,” Mr Dann said today.
Lawyers for media outlets, including the ABC, and prosecutors were set to fight the extension to the suppression order before Carr’s legal team withdrew its application.
Media lawyers argued the gag order needed to be lifted because it was a case of public interest, and because Carr could receive appropriate care and supervision while in jail.
Dustin Martin released a statement on Monday declaring he had ended his professional relationship with Carr, effective immediately.
“I was shocked to learn of the outcome of the court proceedings,” he said.
“I had no knowledge whatsoever of the conduct that led to these convictions.
“My thoughts are with those affected.”