Sydney Burlesque Owner Acquitted in Sexsomnia Rape Case

Timothy Rowland, diagnosed with sexsomnia, was found not guilty after a jury ruled there was no evidence he acted consciously during the incident.

Timothy Rowland, a Sydney burlesque club owner, was acquitted of sexual assault charges after claiming he was experiencing an episode of sexsomnia during the incident in August 2022.
Sexsomnia, a rare sleep disorder, was central to the defense, with experts testifying that Rowland's actions were consistent with an unconscious episode rather than deliberate behavior.
The complainant testified that she woke up to find Rowland having sex with her and recorded a video shortly after, which was presented during the trial.
Rowland's formal diagnosis of sexsomnia came in November 2024, with medical records and expert testimony supporting the claim that he had exhibited symptoms since his early 20s.
The judge acknowledged the distress caused to the complainant but emphasized the jury's task was to determine if Rowland was awake and acting voluntarily, which was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt.