VIC: Barkas committed to trial on 20 charges

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2008
VIC: Barkas committed to trial on 20 charges

MELBOURNE, Aug 4 AAP - A man accused of drugging and raping six women over a 15-year
period has been committed to stand trial on 20 charges.

Harry William Barkas, 46, of South Yarra, was today committed to stand trial on six
counts of rape, eight of administering a drug, two of sexual penetration of a child under
16 and single counts of indecent assault, assault, trafficking and possessing cannabis.

He appeared before Melbourne Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges
which involved six victims between 1990 and 2005.

Magistrate Duncan Reynolds found there was not enough evidence to proceed with two
further charges relating to a seventh victim.

Barkas will appear in the County Court in September for a directions hearing.

A trial is expected to begin next June.

Barkas made no application for bail.

Victoria's chief prosecutor Jeremy Rapke QC announced last month that another 59 charges
against Barkas had been dropped.

AAP df/pmu/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: BARKAS

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