A high-profile Melbourne man is alleged to have raped a former employee at his home, with the County Court of Victoria told on Wednesday that the woman called him a rapist and punched him in the face shortly after the alleged incident occurred. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
What the court has been told #
Jurors were told during the opening of the trial that the complainant — a former personal assistant to the accused — confronted the man immediately following the alleged assault at his Melbourne home. The court was told she struck him in the face and accused him directly of rape before leaving the premises. Prosecutors are expected to rely on the immediacy and nature of that reaction as part of the Crown’s case.
As is standard in Victoria, the identity of the complainant cannot be published under the Judicial Proceedings Reports Act 1958 (Vic). VCN will not name, describe, or otherwise identify her in this or any subsequent report.
Defence raises credibility challenge #
The man’s barrister, Dermot Dann KC, told the court the alleged victim had what he described as “massive issues” in relation to her credibility and reliability. Mr Dann is alleged to have told the court that the complainant had previously made false allegations against police, a matter the defence intends to pursue during cross-examination.
Mr Dann has not yet outlined what evidence the defence plans to call, but the nature of the opening indicates the trial will turn significantly on the jury’s assessment of the complainant’s account against that of the accused. The accused has entered pleas of not guilty to all three charges and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Understanding the charges #
Under Victorian law, rape is defined in the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) as a person penetrating another sexually without that person’s consent, and without a reasonable belief in consent. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment. Sexual assault — the third charge the man faces — encompasses a broader range of non-consensual sexual touching and carries its own significant sentencing range.
The charges before the court relate to an alleged incident at a private Melbourne address. The precise date of the alleged offending has not been confirmed in material publicly reported at this stage of the trial. VCN will not speculate on details beyond what has been aired in open court.
The employer-employee dynamic #
Prosecutors are expected to address the professional relationship between the accused and the complainant. The woman previously worked as the man’s personal assistant — a role that often involves significant levels of access, trust, and informal contact outside standard office settings.
Research consistently finds that a majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone known to the victim — a colleague, employer, acquaintance, or family member — rather than a stranger. This context is frequently raised in trials of this kind to assist jurors in understanding why a complainant may have maintained contact with an alleged perpetrator, or why a delay in reporting may have occurred. Neither of those issues has yet been publicly addressed in these proceedings; VCN raises the broader context for reader understanding only.
What happens next in the trial #
The trial is listed to continue before the County Court of Victoria. Following opening addresses from both Crown and defence, the prosecution will call its witnesses, beginning — in most sexual assault trials — with the complainant. Mr Dann’s indication of a credibility challenge means the complainant is likely to face detailed cross-examination.
Under Victoria’s evidence law, there are restrictions on the circumstances in which prior sexual history or unrelated prior conduct of a complainant can be raised. Whether the prior allegations against police that Mr Dann referenced will be admitted into evidence is a matter the trial judge will ultimately determine. VCN will report on those rulings if and when they are made in open court.
The man’s identity cannot be published at this stage due to court orders. VCN will continue to cover proceedings as they develop and will provide further reporting once additional material is aired in open court.
High-profile cases and fair trial principles #
Cases involving accused persons described as high-profile present particular challenges for the justice system. Victorian courts have the power to issue suppression orders under the Open Courts Act 2013 (Vic) where publication would pose a real and substantial risk to the administration of justice — for instance, where pre-trial publicity could prejudice a fair trial or where the identification of a party would indirectly identify a protected person such as a sexual assault complainant.
In this matter, the suppression of the accused’s identity operates — at least in part — as a practical measure to avoid indirectly identifying the complainant, whose identity is protected by statute. This is a common feature of sexual offence trials in Victoria and does not reflect any finding about the accused’s guilt or innocence.
VCN is committed to reporting court proceedings accurately and in full, within the limits set by law. We do not editorialize on the merits of charges before the courts, and we do not publish material that would allow a reader to identify a sexual offence complainant, a family violence victim, or a child involved in protected proceedings.
The case continues #
The man is expected to remain before the County Court of Victoria for the duration of the trial. He has entered pleas of not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. No conviction has been recorded. The matter is currently before the courts.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
VCN will report further on this matter as the trial proceeds and additional evidence is aired in open court. Readers seeking background on Victoria’s sexual offence laws and court processes can visit the County Court of Victoria website and the Victorian Legislation website.
Support is available #
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault or family violence, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292. 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. Safe Steps (family violence): 1800 015 188. Lifeline: 13 11 14. Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636. 13YARN (First Nations crisis support): 13 92 76. Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
