Alleged rape victim ‘could have done a lot better’ if she had made up claims against well-connected Melbourne man, court told
Summary
A Melbourne court is hearing a rape trial involving a well-connected man accused by a former assistant of sexual assault in March 2023. The prosecution says the woman’s story is consistent despite some differences, and the defense denies the accusations.Key Facts
- The accused man faces two rape charges and one sexual assault charge and pleads not guilty.
- The alleged victim was a personal assistant to the accused and described drinking, using cocaine, and watching football with him on the night in question.
- The woman gave evidence in a closed court and reported the alleged incidents soon after they happened.
- The prosecution said trauma can affect memory, but the alleged victim’s story stayed mostly consistent in early accounts.
- The defense lawyer argued that if the woman had made up the story, it would have been clearer and more consistent.
- The alleged victim had a past complaint about police behavior, which affected her willingness to report the alleged rape immediately.
- Police officers denied inappropriate comments the woman claimed were made to her in 2019 during a traffic stop.
- The prosecutor criticized a senior police officer’s testimony and suggested the jury might find the officer made the disputed comment.
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