A Queensland couple convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl at a house party will serve longer prison sentences following an appeal. Court of Appeal Justice Thomas Bradley announced the increased sentences for Christopher Luke Hili and Lee Kathleen Hili on the same day he was appointed Queensland's new governor.
The appeal for the extended sentences was initiated by Attorney-General Deb Frecklington more than a year ago. In April 2024, the Gold Coast couple were found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of exposing a child to an indecent act, and one of exposing a child to an indecent film after a five-day trial.
Harrowing details of the events in December 2021 emerged during the Court of Appeal's ruling. The Hilis were hosting a gathering at their home, attended by the then 15-year-old victim and her friend. Court documents indicate Christopher Hili offered the teens alcoholic drinks, including a cocktail and pre-mixed beverages, and later a joint. The victim's friend reportedly fell ill after consuming the joint.
An adult at the party attempted to remove the girls from the couple's proximity, but Lee Hili insisted they stay, citing plans for a sleepover activity.
The victim later found herself alone with Christopher and Lee Hili in their bedroom. She reported feeling dizzy from the alcohol and cannabis. According to the prosecutor, the victim was unable to resist the couple and was "blacking out" during the assault. She stated, "She did what she was told to do."
During the assault, Lee Hili questioned the victim about her age, bisexuality, virginity, and relationship status. The victim recounted being subjected to unwanted physical contact and stated, "I sat down there and then … they started taking my clothes off and I didn't really know what to do because I was feeling really sick and my head was spinning and then I blanked out." The prosecutor stated, "They raped her. (Christopher Hili) started taking her clothes off. He was rubbing her arm and lifted her shirt up before (the victim) blanked out." The assault continued even after the victim regained consciousness, at which point she was crying and panicking. Lee Hili reportedly told the teen to "be quiet" before the victim lost consciousness again.
Christopher Hili had initially been sentenced to seven years in prison and was eligible for parole since March. His wife, Lee Hili, received a six-year sentence and had been eligible for parole for nearly a year.
In their appeal judgement, President of the Court of Appeal Justice Debra Mullins and Justices Bradley and Melanie Hindman stated that the original sentences were "more lenient than the sentences imposed in other cases for objectively less serious offending." Justice Bradley described the original sentencing error as being in a "rare category."
Christopher Hili's sentence has been increased to eight years, making him ineligible for parole until April 2028. Lee Hili's sentence has been extended to seven years, with potential parole eligibility as early as April of the following year. The couple's appeals against the jury's guilty verdicts were dismissed by the court.