Joshua McNulty to be sentenced for punching and raping woman he met at the Gully Hotel

A university student who met a woman at a northern suburbs hotel punched her to the face and raped her after she said no to having sex with him, a court has heard.

A University student punched a woman in the face and raped her after she said no to having sex with him, a court has heard.
Joshua McNulty, 22, awaits his fate after he then made a shocking comment to the victim he degraded in her own home.

During his trial in August, the District Court heard McNulty met the victim on a night out in August 2022 at the Gully Hotel.

Prosecutor Greg Dudzinski told the court there was some consensual kissing before they caught an Uber back to the victim’s house after closing time.

“And she’ll tell you they may have engaged in some consensual sexual intercourse,” he said.

Joshua McNulty was convicted of rape and assault. Picture: File

“However in the morning, some point after 5.30am the accused wanted to have sex again.

“This time (the victim) told him no, told him to calm down and that he needed to stop – or words to that effect.”

The court heard the victim attempted to push McNulty away with her arm but he punched her to the nose and raped her.

Mr Dudzinski said the victim told McNulty he hurt her and he responded with words to the effect “You’re okay, you little s***”.

The court heard McNulty, who was 19 at the time of the offending, raped her again that morning.

The victim reported it to police later that day.

McNulty, of Blakeview, was found guilty by a jury of assault and rape.

During sentencing submissions on Monday, a prosecutor told the court the victim was left with bruising to her arms and nose after McNulty’s attack.

“The defendant’s conduct was not only degrading and reprehensible but also displayed an absolute lack of regard for the victim’s dignity,” the prosecutor said.

“The harm inflicted by the defendant on the victim is profound.”

The prosecutor said McNulty’s actions debased the victim’s security, self worth and violated the sanctity of her home.

Robert Kane, for McNulty, told the court his client had no prior convictions and had the full support of his family and friends.

The court heard McNulty was studying a degree of business management at the University of South Australia and achieving high distinctions for many subjects.

“Obviously the circumstances that he now finds himself in has changed that scenario dramatically,” Mr Kane said.

The defence said McNulty had excellent prospects for the future and rehabilitation.

McNulty will be sentenced at a later date.