Daily London
A man from a high-profile family told a series of lies to deflect blame after raping a woman in his own home, a prosecutor has alleged.
The trial of the man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, entered its final stages today as both sides made closing arguments to the Victorian County Court jury.
It’s alleged the accused digitally raped his friend’s girlfriend at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024.
The jury was told the woman had consensual sex with her boyfriend at the house but then he organised an Uber and left the property shortly before 2am.
It’s alleged the accused then lied, telling the woman her boyfriend would be returning upstairs because his Uber had been cancelled.
Prosecutors allege it was the accused who went into the dark bedroom a short time later and pretended to be the woman’s boyfriend before digitally raping her twice.
In the days after, the man doctored an Uber receipt to allegedly make it look like the complainant’s boyfriend had left the house after 2.30am.
The accused admitted forging the receipt but said he did so because he panicked after being falsely accused of rape.
Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the jury the fake receipt was part of a series of lies the man told to avoid responsibility.
“He was shifting the blame, making it look like there was someone other than him in the house,” McWilliams said.
He said the jury should ignore the man’s lies and instead believe the alleged victim, who had given clear, consistent and convincing evidence.
“She’s not mistaken, she’s not confused – she told you what happened,” McWilliams said.
Defence barrister David Hallowes SC said even the woman had doubted her recollection, telling people she was unsure whether it was the accused or her boyfriend who came into the room.
Hallowes said the woman did not get a clear look at the offender and it was possible her mind was playing tricks on her when she concluded the accused was responsible.
The defence barrister conceded his client made the “stupid” decision to forge the Uber receipt, but said he did so because he panicked.
“This is a young man confronting a shocking allegation,” Hallowes said.
“It’s a stupid lie but it’s not a lie that shows he’s guilty.”
The defence barrister said the man was innocent and should be acquitted of the two rape charges.
Judge Gregory Lyon will give his directions to the jury tomorrow before it begins deliberations.
