Shocking details emerge about high-profile Brisbane real estate agent charged with raping a woman just hours after glitzy awards night

Published: 05:11, 5 June 2026 | Updated: 05:18, 5 June 2026 A high-profile Brisbane real estate agent spoke about how his agency felt like 'family' at a prestigious awards night, just hours before allegedly raping and choking a woman inside his apartment. James 'Jim' Francis Connors was charged with rape, choking, common assault, wilful damage and assault occasioning bodily harm over the alleged incident last month. On Tuesday, his lawyer told Brisbane Arrests Court his client would strenuously defend the charges. Connors, 31, allegedly raped the woman in his Newstead apartment hours after the Harcourts Annual Awards night at Brisbane Town Hall in late May. The court heard Connors then arrived at his unit alone that night, before the woman turned up later in the evening, the Courier Mail reports. 'There's a suggestion that the complainant consumed a bottle of wine through the course of the evening and then the (alleged) rape arises about 4am but there's very little context,' his lawyer Brendan Beavon said. 'The allegation is that she wakes up to the act occurring but there's very little context as to the mechanism of how (her) clothes came off. 'The allegations are word against word. Mr Connors certainly contests them. He instructs that he didn't cause her any injuries.' Harcourts real estate agent Jim Connors was charged with raping and choking a woman inside his Brisbane apartment last month He attended the Harcourts Annual Awards night hours before the alleged incident (pictured Connors fronting the video that has now been removed from public view) Connors was granted bail under strict conditions, including that he must report to police twice a week, not leave Queensland, not approach an international departure point, and not go within 100 metres of the complainant.  He was ordered to reappear in court on June 22. The charges come just months after Connors was appointed as Harcourts' Business Performance Coach after being 'recognised nationally in the top 2 per cent of agents for both sales volume and gross commission income.' 'With over a decade of experience across diverse property markets, Jim brings a depth of industry knowledge, strategic acumen, and proven performance to the Harcourts QLD team,' CEO of Harcourts Queensland, Andrew Friebe, said at the time of his appointment. The Daily Mail understands Connors has now been scrubbed from Harcourts' social media platforms. In a statement issued to the Daily Mail, Harcourts said Connors was stood aside from his role pending the outcome of the legal process. 'While the matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate for us to comment on the specifics, or to name any individual involved,' the statement said. 'Violence against women, and all forms of domestic and family violence, are never acceptable. Anyone who has experienced family violence has our unreserved support. Connors walked free from Brisbane Arrests Court on Tuesday after he was granted bail  'Harcourts has a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour inconsistent with our values and treats matters of this nature extremely seriously. 'We also respect the legal process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. 'Our priority is the wellbeing of anyone affected and of our people, and we will co-operate with the relevant authorities if requested.' The Daily Mail has contacted Connors and Harcourts for comment. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.