A man from a high-profile Melbourne family has been convicted of rape after a jury found he sexually assaulted his friend's girlfriend by pretending to be her boyfriend in the dark.
Jury delivers swift verdict after trial
Following seven days of evidence and legal arguments at the Victorian County Court, a jury of 12 took less than two days to reach their decision. The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was found guilty on two counts of rape on Friday, shortly after midday.
The court heard the offences occurred in the early hours of 14 January 2024 at the man's home in Melbourne. He had pleaded not guilty to both charges, forcing the matter to trial.
Deception in the darkness: The prosecution's case
Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams outlined a disturbing sequence of events to the jury. The court was told the woman had engaged in consensual sex with her own boyfriend at the property. Her boyfriend then organised an Uber and left the house just before 2am.
Prosecutors alleged the offender then lied to the woman, telling her that her boyfriend's Uber had been cancelled and he would be returning upstairs. A short time later, the man entered the dark bedroom and, pretending to be the woman's boyfriend, digitally raped her twice.
In the days following the alleged assault, the man was accused of doctoring an Uber receipt to make it appear the complainant's boyfriend had left after 2:30am. He admitted to forging the document but claimed he did so out of panic after being falsely accused.
Closing arguments and emotional courtroom scene
Mr McWilliams urged jurors to reject the defendant's denials, arguing he had told "a series of lies" to deflect blame. He stated the alleged victim had provided evidence that was clear, consistent, and convincing.
Defence barrister David Hallowes SC contended his client was truthful and suggested it was possible the woman's mind was "playing tricks on her." The jury retired to deliberate at 3pm on Wednesday.
As the guilty verdicts were delivered, the convicted man slumped in his seat with his head in his hands. His mother was present in court and cried upon hearing the outcome. The case has concluded with the man awaiting sentencing.
