Nurse Robert Evans found guilty by jury of rape, sexual assault

A jury has returned its verdict in the trial of a nurse accused of raping and sexually assaulting a man who had passed out on a couch after a drinking session.

Robert Evans arrives at Geelong court last week.

A jury has found a nurse raped and sexually assaulted a man who had passed out on a couch after a drinking session.

Robert Evans, 56, of Highton, appeared in the County Court at Geelong last week for trial before Judge Gerard Mullaly, charged with raping and sexually assaulting a man in 2022.

There was never any dispute Evans and the victim had a sexual encounter involving oral sex following an afternoon spent drinking together with Evans’ partner at his home, however Evans had argued the man willingly consented.

The trial began last Monday and after several days of evidence, the jury heard the closing arguments on Thursday.

On Friday, the jury began deliberations after hearing directions from Judge Mullaly.

After several hours, the jury returned their verdict about 4pm on Friday, finding Evans guilty on both charges.

During the trial, the court heard the man had spent an afternoon drinking cocktails with Evans and his partner, and “nodded off” before waking to find Evans performing oral sex on him.

At some point during the drinking session, Evans provided the victim with an opioid painkiller tablet.

In his closing address, crown prosecutor Andrew Moore asserted Evans had “invaded the body of a man who was effectively rendered helpless”.

Mr Moore described how, in his testimony, the victim felt “utterly shocked”, disorientated and in a state of disbelief.

The victim told the jury Evans had sat up and smiled a “naughty smile” at the victim, Mr Moore said.

Following the incident, the victim felt shame and embarrassment, and told his wife, employer and close friends some of what happened, but not all.

He did not completely open up to his wife until after his police interview several months later.

Mr Moore dismissed the defence's arguments, which suggested the victim had come forward with allegations of rape to cover up a consensual encounter, as “desperate”.

Evans will reappear in court at a later date for a plea hearing.

Originally published as Nurse Robert Evans found guilty by jury of rape, sexual assault