Anthony Lister, widely known for his street art in Australia, has been charged with raping four women between 2015 and 2018 and tattooing one of the women without consent. Lister was arrested on Tuesday at his home in Sydney after a police investigation of the alleged rapes, which has been ongoing since January.
Police also gained access to an industrial space linked to Lister where they seized replica firearms, knuckle dusters and illegal drugs, leading to additional charges. Investigators believe the four women, all aged between 18 and 19 at the time, were raped while intoxicated. Speaking in a press conference, a representative from New South Wales Police stated: ‘We believe that he [Lister] has engaged these people through social circles and part of the community.’
In the aftermath of the arrest, Lister’s exhibition at Wollongong Art Gallery and all associated programmes have been cancelled. He is due to appear in court on 7 May.
11 March 2020