<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A man from a high-profile family told a series of lies to deflect blame after a raping a woman in his own home, a prosecutor has alleged. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's alleged the accused digitally raped his friend's girlfriend at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-kutti-beach-locals-up-in-arms-about-council-decision-to-ban-dogs-from-popular-beach/d28322e2-aa0d-4cae-8ae9-fce27d4a3aa3" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Locals up in arms about council decision to ban dogs from popular beach</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's alleged the accused then lied, telling the woman her boyfriend would be returning upstairs because his Uber had been cancelled.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-court-high-profile-man-accused-of-raping-woman/ba198d51-0448-4088-91ca-e159f4ac4454" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The accused admitted forging the receipt but said he did so because he panicked after being falsely accused of rape. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the jury the fake receipt was part of a series of lies the man told to avoid responsibility.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He was shifting the blame, making it look like there was someone other than him in the house," McWilliams said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said the jury should ignore the man's lies and instead believe the alleged victim, who had given clear, consistent and convincing evidence. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/park-waves-festival-australia-cancelled/9d6565b7-a83c-42da-a502-d807022ebae7" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>'We're gutted': Organisers pull plug on Aussie music festival</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"She's not mistaken, she's not confused - she told you what happened," McWilliams said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The defence barrister conceded his client made the "stupid" decision to forge the Uber receipt, but said he did so because he panicked. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is a young man confronting a shocking allegation," Hallowes said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a stupid lie but it's not a lie that shows he's guilty." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The defence barrister said the man was innocent and should be acquitted of the two rape charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Judge Gregory Lyon will give his directions to the jury tomorrow before it begins deliberations. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple App Store</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>.</span></strong></em></div></div>

SHARE:

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.*