A well-connected Melbourne man has been found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against his former personal assistant. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday in the Victorian County Court, concluded a three-week trial that centered on the credibility of the alleged victim.
Trial Details and Verdict
Prosecutors argued that the man sexually assaulted and raped the woman in his luxurious home after inviting her for a meeting on 23 March 2023. The defence, led by Dermot Dann KC, maintained that no sexual contact occurred. The accused did not testify in his own defence. The jury deliberated and found the man guilty, rejecting the defence's arguments.
The victim gave evidence over more than four days in a closed court. Prosecutor Matthew Fisher told the jury that inconsistencies in her account actually bolstered her credibility, as a perfectly consistent story would indicate fabrication. Dann countered that the prosecution's case relied on a "horrible mixture of lies, fabrications, inconsistencies, and evidence that has been shown to be demonstrably untrue."
Evidence Ruled Inadmissible
The jury did not hear certain evidence gathered during the police investigation. DNA evidence from an early evidence kit, self-administered by the complainant, showed a mixed sample with two contributors. The major contributor was likely the complainant, while the minor contributor had limited profile information that could not be matched to the accused but also could not exclude him. Judge Frank Gucciardo ruled this evidence inadmissible, agreeing with the defence that it was inconclusive and could confuse the jury. The prosecution had argued it had probative value in establishing possible contact.
Suppression Order and Mental Health Concerns
The man fought to maintain a suppression order preventing publication of his identity, citing mental health risks. Psychiatrist Dr Jacqueline Rakov testified that the accused had inpatient admissions due to distress from the charges, suffered from PTSD and anxiety, and had a history of suicide attempts. She noted that media coverage of an earlier court appearance led to him being identified by the public, increasing his distress. The suppression order was amended in late 2024 to allow reporting on the case without revealing his identity.
Case Background and Sentencing
The incident began with a text message inviting the former personal assistant to a meeting. She signed his guestbook with a smiling face before the alleged assaults occurred. Police arrived less than 12 hours later. During the trial, the victim admitted to cocaine use and had referred to Dann as "Dermot Dickhead" in emails to police, reflecting the acrimonious nature of the proceedings. Both sides agreed the case hinged on whether the jury believed the victim's account. The jury found her credible, leading to the guilty verdict. The man, previously on bail, was taken into custody and will be sentenced at a later date.
