Celebrity agent Ralph Carr cries as he’s jailed for ‘abhorrent’ rape

Celebrity agent Ralph Carr has been jailed for raping a vulnerable former employee in what a judge has described as an abhorrent and egregious breach of trust.

Carr, who managed the careers of former AFL star Dustin Martin and ex-wife Tina Arena, cried and dropped his head to his knees on Tuesday as he learnt of his six-year jail term. 

He still maintains his innocence, more than a month after a Victorian County Court jury convicted him of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The 66-year-old even sought for his sentence to be stayed while he appealed, claiming he had suffered a miscarriage of justice during his trial.

But Judge Frank Gucciardo on Tuesday rejected his application and sentenced Carr to six years’ jail with a non-parole period of four years. 

“Rape is a crime of violence,” Judge Gucciardo said.

“This was committed by you in an egregious breach of trust.”

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

The pair had been drinking and using drugs at the house before Carr consoled her and said, “I won’t let anything happen to you”.

But then he 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.

“You took advantage of her (at) a point in time when she was not only intoxicated but vulnerable,” Judge Gucciardo said.

“She looked to you for care and support ... you chose to abuse that trust in the most abhorrent manner.”

After being charged, Carr’s identity remained secret for close to three years.

But he was unmasked days after the July 28 verdicts when his suppression order was lifted.

Judge Gucciardo accepted the extensive media attention was additional punishment for Carr, who was also experiencing physical and mental health issues in custody.

Carr’s prior good character and extensive employment history in the entertainment and sporting industry were positive factors in sentencing, the judge said. 

The judge also took into account that Carr’s career was likely over as a result of his convictions and he would be separated from his family, including his elderly mother.

But rape was a serious crime and the community was “perturbed and repulsed” by such violence, the judge said. 

As a result, the court had to denounce Carr’s crimes and impose a significant jail term, Judge Gucciardo said.

Carr, who appeared on a video link from custody, shook his head and appeared to cry throughout the sentencing hearing.

He dropped his head when he learnt of his jail term and that he would not be getting a stay on his sentence.

Outside court, his barrister Dermot Dann KC said Carr had instructed him to lodge an appeal against his convictions. 

Support is available by calling 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.