A jury has found a high-profile Melbourne man guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The man, whose identity is currently protected by law, was convicted following a 13-day trial in the Melbourne County Court. A hearing is scheduled to determine if he can be publicly named.
The jury, comprised of nine women and three men, reached the verdict after deliberating for several hours on Friday and Tuesday. The court heard that the incident occurred on March 23, 2023, after the complainant was invited to the man's home. The prosecution alleged that the pair consumed wine and cocaine together. During the evening, the complainant stated she was not sexually interested in the man and had discussed boundaries.
Later that night, after returning from a friend's house where they watched football, the pair allegedly used more cocaine at the man's home. The court heard that the complainant went to the man's bedroom as he prepared to sleep. She reportedly became upset and confided in the man about personal difficulties.
According to the prosecution, the man then pulled the complainant onto his bed. When she pushed him away and told him to stop, he allegedly touched her breast, waist, and buttocks, and attempted to penetrate her with his finger. The complainant stated, "I don't want this." The jury heard the man responded, "You are so sexy," and "I can't stop, I need your help to sleep, help me."
The prosecution further alleged that the man removed the complainant's blanket and penetrated her with his finger, and subsequently with his penis, on two occasions. The complainant then punched the man, who reacted by stating she had broken his nose. She reportedly yelled, "You're a fing rapist." The man allegedly responded, "It's not rape. I was using my fingers." The complainant countered, "That's still rape, you can't just do that. Also, you didn't just use your fingers, I felt you used your d."
The man then asked the complainant to order an Uber. Approximately half an hour later, she found the man in a spare room. She claimed he began masturbating and asked her to "do it for him." She then left the room and documented the events in notes she sent to her mother, who subsequently contacted the police.
Police arrived at the house early on March 24, 2023, and spoke with the complainant. She was later examined by a forensic medical doctor. The court heard that the complainant had previously worked for the accused, meeting him in August 2022. They reconnected in March 2023, after she left his employment, leading to her visiting his home on March 23.
The man, represented by barrister Dermot Dann KC, will face a pre-sentence hearing at a later date. Judge Frank Gucciardo presided over the trial.