George McVeigh: Warwick rural identity takes stand in day two of own rape trial

A Warwick father of five charged with rape has told a court his version of what happened in the moments he is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at her home.

George Joseph McVeigh is charged with six offences, including four counts of sexual assault, one of rape and one of attempted rape.

A prominent Warwick figure accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman at her home has taken the stand in his own trial to deny the allegations, claiming his alleged victim initiated sexual contact.

George Joseph McVeigh appeared in Warwick District Court on Wednesday for the second day of his trial, where he is charged with six offences, including four counts of sexual assault, one of rape and one of attempted rape.

The 57-year-old has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial began on Tuesday, with the court hearing allegations Mr McVeigh assaulted the woman shortly after arriving at her home on the evening of January 31, 2021.

Mr McVeigh took to the stand Wednesday to give his account of the night, saying he had consumed four beers throughout the afternoon.

The Warwick stock agent and rugby league identity said he started to leave the woman’s home after about 10 minutes and she followed him out.

He told the court she first kissed him, which he reciprocated, and they both began removing clothing.

Mr McVeigh claims the woman then “pushed his head down” for oral sex.

“She forced my head down towards her vagina,” Mr McVeigh said.

Defence lawyer Tony Glynn KC asked if the woman had used physical force, to which Mr McVeigh replied “directed.”

George McVeigh took the stand in day 2 of his trial in Warwick District Court (Photo: File)

Despite allegations Mr McVeigh stopped because he could not achieve an erection, Mr McVeigh claims he “came to his senses” and told the woman, “this is wrong”.

Mr McVeigh told the jury the woman kissed him before he left.

Crown prosecutor Catherine Birkett asked Mr McVeigh about claims the woman asked him to stop and told him he was “scaring her”.

“That’s incorrect,” Mr McVeigh said.

He told the court he was attracted to the woman prior to the alleged rape and had at times “flirted” with her.

While Mr McVeigh admitted to performing oral sex on his alleged victim, he denied attempting to have intercourse.

Ms Birkett told McVeigh his recollection of the night was his “fantasy”.

“This version of events you’ve told us today, that’s your fantasy, isn’t it? Something that you’ve made up and something you wanted to happen, as opposed to what actually happened,” Ms Birkett asked.

“No, it’s not,” Mr McVeigh replied.

Forensic scientist Matthew Hunt gave evidence via telephone, saying DNA found in the woman’s bra likely belonged to Mr McVeigh.

The alleged victim’s husband and sister-in-law also gave evidence on Wednesday, with the husband saying he came home to find his wife “shaken.”

The alleged victim’s sister-in-law said she found out about the allegations over the phone.

“I missed her first phone call, but rang back and she told me she had been sexually assaulted by George McVeigh,” the woman’s sister-in-law told the court.

A co-worker of the woman, and Detective Sergeant Glen Roche also gave evidence.

The alleged victim gave her evidence in a closed court on Tuesday.

The trial continues Thursday.