Jacob Matthew Sumner standing trial for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a nightclub

A man who allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl at a CBD nightclub has claimed she lied to explain away her “embarrassing” behaviour, a court has heard.

A man who allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl in a booth at a CBD nightclub has argued she lied about what happened because she was embarrassed.

Jacob Matthew Sumner, 25, of Evanston, is standing trial in the District Court this week after pleading not guilty to two counts of rape.

Katherine Draper, for the prosecution, told the court a 17-year-old girl attended the birthday party of one of her friends at Atlantis Lounge in February 2022.

“The fun continued into the night, when a group of men joined them in their pre-booked booth,” Ms Draper said.

The court heard Mr Sumner joined the alleged victim and her friends in a pre-booked booth before they shared a consensual kiss.

Jacob Sumner is charged with rape. Photo: Facebook

Ms Draper said Mr Sumner then began sexually assaulting the victim, who told him no.

The court heard the alleged victim went to the bathroom after the alleged attack and realised there was blood smeared all over her white dress, alleged to have been wiped there by Mr Sumner.

The court heard Mr Sumner was arrested and denied any sexual activity occurring with anyone that evening.
During his closing submissions, Martin Anders, for Mr Sumner, told the court his client’s friend who was sitting next to the two and a staff member walking past said they did not see the alleged assault.

“You’ve got all these eyewitnesses that see something that is not a rape, because there was no rape,” he said.

Mr Anders said the alleged victim had “a lot to be embarrassed about” after the interaction, which could have led to her making the allegations.

“Hugging, kissing, sexual conduct in full public view. Being told off by security, finding your dress is a mess,” he said.

“Compounding embarrassment can cause us to try and explain away our behaviour.

“It’s the human condition, to blame someone else for our own stupidity … Here we are, with these charges of rape.”

Mr Anders said the blood on the alleged victim’s dress could be explained as she had cut her finger earlier in the night.

In her closing address, Ms Draper said the CCTV footage of Mr Sumner and the alleged victim’s interaction in the booth was telling.

“The prosecution suggests there is a sustained wrenching, clear signs of not only (the alleged victim’s) struggle but of the defendant’s unwillingness to listen,” she said.

The trial before a jury continues.