A YOUNG boy allegedly raped by a woman almost three times his age maintains he did not initially tell anyone about it because he didn’t understand what rape was.

A 35-year-old Westcourt woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday for the first time in relation to the incident which allegedly occurred in the Daintree two years ago.

The court heard the boy, who had been 12 at the time of the alleged offence, had only spoken about the incident with his parents in September.

Police prosecutor Sen-Constable Morgan Harris said the boy was “naive” as he had not told anyone because he believed he had done something wrong.

media_camera DISTURBING: The court heard the boy, who had been 12 at the time of the alleged offence, had only spoken about the incident with his parents in September.

“He did not believe she had done anything wrong because she didn’t kill him – that’s what he thought rape was,” she said.

But duty solicitor Steve Wettenhall said the woman would be contesting the charges, which he said were “unsupported by any evidence” and very dated.

“Naive or not, that is a very significant delay and will be a highly relevant issue,” he said.

“This is an allegation that is not supported by any witnesses other than the complainant child himself.”

The court heard the alleged incident took place on November 8, 2013, when celebrations were being held for the woman’s birthday.

Sen-Constable Harris said the boy’s family had told him to walk her home for her own safety and once at her residence he came inside, made food and sat in front of the television.

She said the woman then allegedly came into the room, stood in front of him and took both of their clothes off before raping him. The court heard the boy fled when the woman’s partner came home, then slept outside his own home because he was ashamed of what had happened.

Sen-Constable Harris said police objected to granting the woman’s bail as they were concerned she would interfere with witnesses.

But Mr Wettenhall said the woman had not seen the child or his parents for some time, has no contact with them and does not know where they currently live.

Magistrate Anthony Gett granted bail on the grounds she continue to live in Westcourt and not come within 200m of the boy.

The case has been adjourned until December 2.

The woman is also facing four unrelated charges of assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, drug possession and drug utensil possession.