Melbourne businessman faces rape and sexual assault trial involving a former personal assistant
Consensus Summary
A Melbourne businessman is facing trial for alleged rape and sexual assault against a former personal assistant, with the incident occurring in March 2023. Both sources agree the accused pleaded not guilty and that the complainant had a prior interaction with police in 2019, including a 2022 allegation against an officer. The defence argues the complainantâs testimony is inconsistent, while the prosecution highlights her alleged trauma and the complexity of her evidence. The case has spanned a three-year legal process, with the complainant seeking financial compensation after the incident. The defence also references a 2019 drink-driving incident to challenge her credibility, though the prosecution disputes the officerâs account.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The alleged incident occurred in March 2023
- The accused businessman pleaded not guilty to all charges
- The complainant was the accused manâs former personal assistant
- The complainant had previously been pulled over for drink-driving in 2019
- The complainant accused a police officer of calling her a 'little slut' in 2022
- The case involves a three-year legal process
- The complainant was emotional and vulnerable after breaking up with her boyfriend
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The alleged rape lasted a matter of seconds and ended when the woman punched the man in the face
- The complainant had been in discussions about returning to the accused manâs business
- The complainant engaged civil lawyers after the alleged incident and sought financial compensation
- The complainant smiled, chuckled, and laughed in the witness box and was pulled up for swearing
- The defence called a veteran police officer as a 'star witness' to damage the complainantâs credibility
- The complainant said she spent an evening drinking, taking cocaine, listening to music, and watching football with the accused
- The accused allegedly tried to kiss her and sexually assaulted her before allegedly raping her twice
- The complainantâs mother urged her to report the matter to police after the alleged incident
- The complainantâs demeanour in court was described as having 'complexity' with some gaps and inconsistencies in her evidence
- The defence lawyer, Dermot Dann KC, argued the complainant 'could have done a much better job' if she invented the story for money
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the alleged rape occurred on March 23, 2023, while the Guardian only specifies 'March 2023' without a day
- ABC mentions the complainant was 'emotional and vulnerable after breaking up with her boyfriend,' but the Guardian does not reference this detail
- ABC notes the complainant had previously worked as the manâs personal assistant and was offered a job, while the Guardian only states she was a former personal assistant without mentioning job discussions
- ABC says the complainantâs evidence took place in closed court with only lawyers, the accused, and the jury present, while the Guardian does not specify the courtâs openness
Source Articles
Woman in businessman rape case told 'lie after lie', defence says
A woman who accused a well-connected Melbourne businessman of rape is a serial liar and made "false allegations" in court, defence lawyers say.
Alleged rape victim âcould have done a lot betterâ if she had made up claims against well-connected Melbourne man, court told
Prosecutor tells court that âgaps or inconsistenciesâ in the womanâs account âenhances her credibilityâ, but the defence maintains she is lying Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A woman who accused a well-connected Melbourne man of rape âcould have done a much better jobâ if she was inventing the story for money, a Melbourne court has heard. The man, who cannot be named, faces two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, and has pleaded not guilty in Victoriaâs