Trial Begins for Two Officers Charged With 2017 Rape

A rape trial involving two members of the police force began yesterday after more than 8 years.

The case centres on allegations of rape that the complainant says took place on May 12, 2017, in the Cooks area.

The woman’s testimony detailed how the day began with a social gathering involving members of a WhatsApp group to which both accused officers belonged.

She said she, the two officers, and another female were driving to a bar at Pensioners that night, but the female was dropped off on the way.

While traveling along Federation Road in Gray’s Farm toward their stated destination, the woman testified she observed the vehicle turn left and eventually parked near a lamppost.

She said with a gun to her head she was forced to have sex with both men and afterwards they still went to the bar.

According to her, she left them there and went to another bar where she stayed until morning.

She reported the incident the following Monday.

Her testimony also included details of post-incident WhatsApp exchanges.

Defense counsel Andrew O’Kola challenged multiple elements of the complainant’s account during cross-examination. The defense disputed that any stop occurred en route to Pensioners Beach. When questioned whether she requested to exit the vehicle, she answered negatively but maintained she had attempted to leave when the first turn was made.

The defense strategy included suggestions that alcohol consumption may have impaired her recollection, proposing that certain claimed events never occurred. O’Kola also highlighted inconsistencies between her courtroom testimony and her original police statement as evidence questioning the veracity of her allegations.

Cross-examination proceedings are scheduled to resume this morning.