Man digitally raped woman by pretending to be her boyfriend in dark bedroom | World | News

A man from a high-profile family in Australia has been found guilty of digitally raping a woman in her home. The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, denied the charge but was convicted after less than two days of jury deliberations.

Prosecutors alleged the man digitally raped his friend’s girlfriend in Melbourne in the early hours of January 14, 2024. The court heard how the woman had consensual sex with her boyfriend at home before ordering an Uber and leaving shortly before 2am. The jury was told how the defendant then lied to the woman by telling her her boyfriend’s Uber had been canceled and he would return shortly.

The attacker then entered the victim’s bedroom pretending to be her boyfriend and then digitally raped her twice.

Digital penetration is just one form of sexual penetration. Digital penetration, as it sounds, refers to the use of fingers, i.e. fingers, thumbs or toes, to sexually penetrate a person.

Following the attack, the defendant forged an Uber receipt to make it appear as if he had left home after 2.30am in order to place the victim’s boyfriend on the property at the time of the attack.

The man admitted to forging the receipt, but said he did so in panic after learning of the rape allegation against him.

Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the jury the man told a series of lies to deflect blame while encouraging his conviction.

He asked the jury to disregard the man’s denials and instead believe the alleged victim who presented clear, consistent and convincing evidence.

The attacker’s defense attorney tried to convince the jury that the victim’s mind was playing tricks on him.

After seven hearings, the jury retired to begin deliberations at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

The court returned to give its verdict less than 28 hours later and found the defendant guilty of all charges at noon on Friday.

As the verdict was announced, the man sat with his head in his hands while his mother wept openly in the public gallery.