Corby's star witness convicted of rape
{{date|January 29, 2006}}

John Patrick Ford, the [[Australia| Australian]] prisoner who testified at [[w:Schapelle Corby| Schapelle Corby’s]] [[w:Bali|Bali]] drug trafficking trial, has been convicted of 11 charges relating to the rape and assault of a woman.

Ford’s trial was postponed to allow him to travel to Bali in the custody of [[w:Australian Federal Police| Australian Federal Police]] officers to testify that he had overheard a jailhouse confession. Ford alleged he had heard another prisoner claim ownership of the [[w:marijuana| marijuana]] found in Corby’s possession. He told the Balinese court that Corby was the victim of an Australian domestic inter-airport drug-smuggling operation. She is currently serving a 20-year prison term after being convicted in that case.   

In December 2005, a County Court jury convicted Ford of 11 charges, including rape, intentionally causing injury, threatening to inflict serious injury, false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, burglary, making threats to kill and stalking, but a suppression order issued by the court prevented publication of the convictions until the pre-sentencing hearing on Friday, January 27, 2006. 

Ford’s lawyer, Tom Danos, told the hearing that Corby had written to Ford thanking him for risking his own welfare by agreeing to testify. Danos urged the court to be lenient in sentencing Ford, claiming that his victim had effectively forgiven him for his crimes and that he deserved a lighter sentence for co-operating with authorities investigating the Corby case.

Ford has been attacked twice in jail since testifying at Corby’s Bali trial. Since returning from Bali in March, 2005, Ford has remained in [[w:solitary confinement|protective custody]], to prevent further attacks. Danos claimed that this would make any jail sentence particularly difficult for his client.

County Court Judge Margaret Rizkalla adjourned the pre-sentencing hearing to a date yet to be set.

==Related news==
*{{Wikinews|title=Australian PM promises to assist Corby
|date=July 11, 2005 }}
*{{Wikinews|title=Schapelle Corby found guilty, sentenced to 20 years
|date=May 27, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17959442-2,00.html?from=rss
|title=Corby witness guilty of rape
|author=Christine Caulfield
|pub=News.com.au
|date=January 28, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/corby-star-witness-found-guilty-of-rape/2006/01/27/1138319450895.html
|title=Corby star witness found guilty of rape
|author=Daniella Miletic
|pub=The Age 
|date=January 28, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Prisoners-conscience-throws-Corby-lifeline/2005/03/28/1111862291627.html
|title=Corby team fear drug gang hit
|author=
|pub=Sydney Morning Herald
|date=March 28, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Corby-witnesss-life-at-risk-defence/2005/03/27/1111862258280.html
|title=Corby witness's life at risk
|author=Neil McMahon
|pub=Sydney Morning Herald
|date=March 28, 2005}}
{{aussieissue|Schapelle Corby}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Sex crimes]]
[[Category:Cannabis]]
John Patrick Ford, the  Australian prisoner who testified at  Schapelle Corby’s Bali drug trafficking trial, has been convicted of 11 charges relating to the rape and assault of a woman.

Ford’s trial was postponed to allow him to travel to Bali in the custody of  Australian Federal Police officers to testify that he had overheard a jailhouse confession. Ford alleged he had heard another prisoner claim ownership of the  marijuana found in Corby’s possession. He told the Balinese court that Corby was the victim of an Australian domestic inter-airport drug-smuggling operation. She is currently serving a 20-year prison term after being convicted in that case.   

In December 2005, a County Court jury convicted Ford of 11 charges, including rape, intentionally causing injury, threatening to inflict serious injury, false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, burglary, making threats to kill and stalking, but a suppression order issued by the court prevented publication of the convictions until the pre-sentencing hearing on Friday, January 27, 2006. 

Ford’s lawyer, Tom Danos, told the hearing that Corby had written to Ford thanking him for risking his own welfare by agreeing to testify. Danos urged the court to be lenient in sentencing Ford, claiming that his victim had effectively forgiven him for his crimes and that he deserved a lighter sentence for co-operating with authorities investigating the Corby case.

Ford has been attacked twice in jail since testifying at Corby’s Bali trial. Since returning from Bali in March, 2005, Ford has remained in protective custody, to prevent further attacks. Danos claimed that this would make any jail sentence particularly difficult for his client.

County Court Judge Margaret Rizkalla adjourned the pre-sentencing hearing to a date yet to be set.
Australia Oceania Crime and law Sex crimes Cannabis