Rape-convicted manager complains of ‘living hell’ in prison

Jailed celebrity agent Ralph Carr has complained about reputation damage and being in “living hell” after he was convicted of raping a former employee.

The 66-year-old talent manager, behind the careers of ex-AFL star Dustin Martin, singer Kate Ceberano and ex-wife Tina Arena, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by a Victorian County Court jury.

For almost three years, Carr successfully kept his name out of the news, but he was unmasked earlier in August with the lifting of a suppression order.

Sporting a bald head and grey prison tracksuit, he was almost unrecognisable as he faced court on Monday.

Carr maintained his innocence and was applying for a temporary delay to his sentence pending an appeal against his convictions, defence lawyer Dermot Dann told the court.

Dann said his client’s unmasking had impacted his mental health, leading to suicidal thoughts, depressive symptoms and anxiety.

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“For someone who maintains innocence, this is a terrible, terrible situation,” he said.

“When he describes it as a living hell and that he’s destroyed, it adds to the picture.”

Carr’s mental health history dates back to 2023 when he was arrested and charged, but Dann said the “single greatest factor exacerbating risk” was public identification in the media.

The convicted rapist’s mental wellbeing was also linked to the outcome of his application as it offered him hope, Dann argued.

“Because of the nature (and) scale of reporting, publicity, his career (has been) destroyed,” he said.

“No matter how successful his appeal or stay application, he sees the damage to his career is done because his career relied on public relations, knowing people at the right time.”

Psychiatrist Dr Jackie Rakov, who had been treating Carr, said he was being held in a section of prison for high-profile inmates and spending 23 hours a day inside his cell.

Rakov told the court Carr’s suicide risk was “dynamic” and could increase if the stay application was unsuccessful.

Carr was convicted of assaulting a former employee at his Melbourne home in the early hours of March 24, 2023, after she became emotional discussing a relationship break-up.

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He hugged her and began kissing her and touching her breasts, waist and buttocks while she tried to push him away.

When she told him to stop, Carr told her he couldn’t because she was “so sexy” before raping her twice while she cried into a pillow.

A victim impact statement for the woman was not tendered in court.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

If you or someone you know needs support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue. In the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).

–AAP