Chad James Broad: Accused Batavia Motor Inne rapist asks if a guilty plea will fast-track his process

A 46-year-old man in custody on allegations he twice raped a 12-year-old girl inside Geraldton’s derelict Batavia Motor Inne has asked a magistrate if a guilty plea would speed the process up. Chad James Broad appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court via video link from Hakea Prison last Wednesday, when he was allocated a trial date in the Geraldton District Court for three days from December 2. During his appearance, Mr Broad asked Magistrate Matthew Walton: “Would I be able to plead guilty and fast-track it?” Mr Walton recommended that Mr Broad seek further instructions from his lawyer, but listed the matter to be mentioned before the court on June 5 “in case of a change in situation”. Mr Broad previously entered pleas of not guilty to sexual penetration of a child under 13 years, aggravated penetration of a child under 13 years, and aggravated indecent dealing with a child under 13 years. At an appearance in May 2023, the court was told Mr Broad and another man took the girl into a room at the abandoned motel on Fitzgerald Street after she was given alcohol. It is alleged Mr Broad groped and raped the girl twice between 2pm and 4pm on Wednesday, March 15 2023..