source : the age
A NSW police officer has been found guilty of raping and choking his former wife among a series of assaults during their relationship.
The police officer, who cannot be named because it would indirectly identify the complainant, stood trial on 19 domestic violence-related charges in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court.
The jury delivered their verdicts on Tuesday following 22 hours of deliberations. The man was found guilty of 11 charges including two counts of rape or sexual intercourse without consent, one count of sexual touching without consent, and one count of intentionally choking a person without consent.
The balance of the guilty verdicts were for five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of common assault.
He was found not guilty of eight charges, including one count of sexually touching without consent and two intimidation charges.
The court heard that the officer assaulted his now ex-wife over a number of years, including three sexual offences on one day that culminated in him locking the bedroom door and sexually assaulting her.
The court was closed to the public during the complainant’s evidence.
During his opening address to the jury at the start of the trial, Crown prosecutor Rohan Cooley anticipated the officer’s ex-wife would give evidence that she “told him to stop” and he “disregarded” this during the sexual assault, the prosecutor said.
Cooley also told the jury they would hear evidence that the man put his hand around his former wife’s neck during one incident and applied pressure, leaving her “gasping for air”, prompting a child to intervene.
Defence barrister Claire Wasley said in a brief opening to the jury at the start of the trial that the accused denied the charges against him.
“It’s not in dispute that this relationship was ultimately a toxic one,” Wasley said. “What is in dispute is that [my client] … perpetrated domestic violence including sexual violence against [the complainant] at any time. He denies this.”
The court will decide a sentencing date when it convenes on Thursday.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
