A prominent Melbourne man has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault, with his defense attorney telling a jury the alleged incident was entirely fabricated. The man, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, appeared in Melbourne County Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege that on March 23, 2023, the accused invited the woman to his home. The court heard that they consumed wine and cocaine together. The jury was informed that the man allegedly made comments about her appearance and initiated sexual advances after the woman had expressed she was not interested and did not want a relationship. According to the prosecution, the woman told the man she did not want his advances, saying, "I don't want this." The alleged victim claims the man then said, "You are so sexy," and "I can't stop, I need your help to sleep, help me."
The prosecution further alleges that the man penetrated the woman with his fingers and then his penis while she was in bed. The woman reportedly responded by punching the man in the nose and yelling, "You're a f***ing rapist." The man is alleged to have responded, "It's not rape. I was using my fingers." The woman countered that it was still rape and that he had used his penis. The man then allegedly told the woman to leave.
The woman claims she later found the accused in another room and that he began masturbating, asking her to "do it for him." She stated she slammed the door and later typed out an account of the events, sending it to her mother. The woman contacted police in the early hours of March 24, 2023.
The court heard the woman had previously worked for the accused and had met him in August 2022. Allegations from this earlier period include the man making sexual advances, which the woman reportedly fended off by stating, "If I let you f*** me, you'll never respect me as an employee."
Dermot Dann KC, representing the accused, told the jury that the defense disputes many of the allegations. "He is innocent. He's done nothing wrong," Dann stated. The defense claims the events described by the complainant, including the use of cocaine and sexual advances in August 2022, did not occur. Dann also asserted that the events of March 23 did not happen as alleged, including the claim that the woman was punched in the face. The defense maintains that the woman was determined to stay at the house and was trying to negotiate or resolve things, suggesting issues with her credibility. The trial continues before Judge Frank Gucciardo.