A POLICE senior constable in country Victoria raped a 34-year-old lesbian
after insisting she go "skinny dipping" with him, a court has heard.
Denis Farrell, 35, of St Arnaud, faces two counts of rape and one of
aggravated burglary after the incident, which began late on the night of
January 25, 2001 in St Arnaud, in western Victoria.
Opening the Crown case, George Slim said Farrell and another policeman
returned to the woman's St Arnaud home several times that night, initially
after she and her partner had a loud argument.
On the third occasion, Farrell insisted the two officers, who were not in
uniform and appeared to have been drinking, come into the house and share a
drink, Mr Slim told the County Court.
When the woman's partner said she didn't want to drink and drive, Farrell
allegedly replied, "we've got the acting sergeant here", pointing to the
other officer.
The two women declined Farrell's suggestion of going skinny dipping before
the alleged victim's friend left for her own home.
Later, the alleged victim was locking her front gate when the two officers
drove up and enticed her into their car, Mr Slim said.
As Farrell directed his colleague toward a water hole on the nearby Avoca
River, he asked "personal and suggestive questions" such as "have you ever
been f***** up the a***?" and "have you ever had a threesome?", Mr Slim said.
The alleged victim felt "trapped" at the isolated spot before Farrell
pulled off her clothes and pushed her toward the water.
He forced the victim onto his lap and raped her, warning her not to talk
about what had happened.
The policeman allegedly told his victim he had a wife and son and she
should keep her mouth shut.
After the woman was dropped off at her home, she had a shower and returned
to her bedroom, where Farrell was waiting. He allegedly raped her again,
the court heard.
Interviewed later by police investigators, Farrell admitted having sex with
the woman but claimed it was consensual and at her instigation.
In a brief reply to the prosecution case, Julie Sutherland, for Farrell,
said the only issue in the case was that of consent.
The case continues tomorrow before Judge Bill White.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,6069517%255E1702,00.html
Perjury is pretty routine downhere so I would guess constable Romeo will
get off.(again)
We badly need a Chrysler nominated governmental accountability system of
some sort.
