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High-Profile Man’s Rape Trial Opens in Victoria With Deception Allegations

The defence concedes a fabricated Uber receipt, arguing it reflected panic rather than guilt.

Overview

  • An unnamed man from a prominent family pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape as a two-week trial began in the County Court of Victoria.
  • Prosecutors allege the woman was digitally assaulted in a dark bedroom after the accused pretended to be her boyfriend following the boyfriend’s departure by Uber.
  • The jury heard claims that the accused later altered an Uber receipt and urged a friend via Snapchat to back a false account of re-entering the room.
  • Defence counsel says the accused neither entered the woman’s room nor assaulted her and maintains the falsified receipt was a panicked act consistent with innocence.
  • Judge Gregory Lyon warned jurors against outside research or discussion of the case, and the complainant was scheduled to give evidence in closed court.