Richard Darcy pleads not guilty to rape, sexual assault in Maroochydore Magistrates Court

Further claims about a Sunshine Coast business identity were aired in court, as family members of the alleged teen victim gave their evidence. Here’s what happened in court.

Richard Darcy leaves Maroochydore District Court.

A friend and family members of a teenage girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted and raped by a Sunshine Coast bookkeeper have given evidence at the man’s trial.

Eudlo man Richard Darcy is on trial in Maroochydore District Court charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault, two of rape and four of sexual assault.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Wednesday, November 2 marked the second day of the trial, where the Crown called multiple family members and a close friend of the alleged victim to give evidence.

The defence did not call any witnesses, and Mr Darcy himself did not give evidence.

Richard Darcy has faced court over allegations he sexually assaulted and raped a teenage girl for more than a year.

The witnesses recounted conversations they had with the alleged victim, with one stating the teen said she “woke up naked” with Mr Darcy’s “hands between her legs” after he forced her to get drunk with him one night.

“She wanted to stop drinking but (Mr Darcy) wouldn’t let her,” the witness said.

“He was trying to … kiss her.”

Crown prosecutor Samantha O’Rourke told the jury on Tuesday the charges against Mr Darcy spanned a period of more than a year between 2018 and 2019.

Richard Darcy leaves Maroochydore District Court.

On Wednesday, one family member said the alleged victim told them the alleged abuse went on for so long because she “felt she could not go to anyone or report it”.

Ms and at times escalated from inappropriate touching to penetration, she told the jury.

Maroochydore Courthouse. Picture: Patrick Woods.

It is alleged that the abuse escalated from inappropriate touching to penetration.

In one of the last allegations, Mr Darcy is accused of touching the girl indecently before performing non-consensual oral sex on her.

The court was told Mr Darcy attempted to do this a second time, but the alleged victim stopped him.

Ms O’Rourke said the alleged victim began reporting what had allegedly happened to others the following day.

The court was closed while the jury heard evidence from the alleged victim.

The trial is expected to run for about three days, and continues before Judge Amanda McDonnell on Thursday.