Melbourne businessman on trial for alleged rape of former personal assistant in 2023

Consensus Summary

A high-profile Melbourne businessman is facing trial on two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after allegedly raping his former personal assistant at his home in March 2023. All three outlets agree the incident occurred in the early hours of March 24, 2023, following an evening of drinking and cocaine use, and that the woman accused him of rape after he allegedly penetrated her against her will. Police were called after the woman texted her mother, with officers arriving at the accused’s home around 3am on that date. The accused, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, has pleaded not guilty, and his defence team has raised significant doubts about the woman’s credibility, including allegations of prior false claims.

The relationship between the accused and the complainant began in 2022 when he hired her as his personal assistant, according to ABC and The Age. The Age provides additional context, stating she initially contacted him about working for him while studying and that their professional relationship ended in November 2022 after a dinner where the accused allegedly made further unwanted advances. The Guardian notes the woman had previously rejected his sexual advances, telling him, 'If I let you do this, if I let you fuck me, you will never respect me as your employee.' The prosecution alleges the pair reconnected in March 2023 to discuss a new project, leading to the night of the alleged assault.

Key figures in the case include prosecutor Matthew Fisher, who presented the prosecution’s opening submissions, and defence barrister Dermot Dann KC, who argued the woman’s account is unreliable. The Guardian reports Dann highlighted her previous false allegations against police, while ABC and The Age emphasize his claims that the assault never occurred. The woman is expected to testify, with her evidence central to the prosecution’s case. The trial, presided over by Judge Frank Gucciardo, is expected to last about two weeks, with the jury yet to reach a verdict.

While the core details of the alleged assault are consistent across all sources, differences emerge in specific claims. The Guardian specifies the woman punched the accused in the nose shortly after the rape, whereas ABC and The Age describe the punch occurring after she accused him of being a 'rapist' and he allegedly downplayed the severity of his actions. The Age also includes unique details, such as the accused discussing an autobiography and film script with the woman in 2022, and claims the woman stayed at his home after the incident, initially reluctant to involve police. These discrepancies could influence the jury’s perception of the case.

The trial’s outcome hinges on the credibility of the complainant and the accused’s denial of the allegations. The defence has framed the case as one of false accusations, pointing to the woman’s prior conduct and her alleged reluctance to leave the accused’s home after the incident. The Guardian notes the woman’s mother attempted to persuade her to leave but was met with messages about 'recompense,' suggesting the complainant may have sought financial resolution. With the trial ongoing, the next steps will depend on the evidence presented, including the 35-minute police interview expected to be shown to the jury, as reported by the Guardian.