A former prison worker accused of raping female inmates will defend charges, according to lawyer A PRISON worker accused of raping or molesting 12 female inmates over an eight-year period will defend the charges, according to his lawyers. The now-former prison staffer appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court briefly this morning on almost 30 serious offences - some of which carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment. Solicitor Peter Shields, for the man, requested his client be allowed continued bail. Outside court, Mr Shields said: "My client has instructed me to plead not guilty to all charges." His client, however, made no comment as he left the court complex. A dozen women have so far accused the man of sexually harassing or assaulting them within the confines of a Queensland jail. During a successful bail hearing, the court was told that while 12 women inmates had given statements leading to the worker being charged with 29 serious offences - police believe they may be "the tip of the iceberg." The man's current list of charges include three counts of rape, 12 of sexual assault, 12 of abuse of office and one each of attempted sexual assault and to procure a sexual act by threat or intimidation. Prosecutors had opposed the man being granted bail. The man, who cannot be named until he is committed to stand trial, is accused of raping at least one female prisoner and sexually assaulting another 11 in the prison's kitchen and cold room. Magistrate John Costello was earlier this month told the prison staffer found the prospects of being sent to jail "simply terrifying." Mr Costello remanded the man appear in Magistrates Court 18 on September 30.