Jack Pethybridge charged after alleged sex assault in Barden Ridge
A man who hosted a house party in southern Sydney has been charged with sexually assaulting a male guest as a woman lay asleep between them.
St George Shire Standard
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An intimate house party and late night drinks which drew four attendees into bed together has ended in criminal charges, with a young man facing trial over allegations he sexually assaulted his guest at a home in a sleepy southern Sydney suburb.
Jack Pethybridge, 24, was charged with two counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent after he allegedly masturbated and performed oral sex upon his male guest during the gathering at Pethybridge’s Barden Ridge home in July 2017.
The Crown Prosecutor and Pethybridge’s barrister agree Pethybridge had his alleged victim, Pethybridge’s male partner at the time and a female friend over for drinks while his family was away.
The four then undressed to their underwear and got into Pethybridge’s bed together, with Pethybridge’s partner next to the wall, followed by Pethybridge, the female friend and then the alleged victim on the other edge of the bed.
Police say Pethybridge then leaned over the female and began to masturbate the alleged victim while he was propped up on his arm, a short time after Pethybridge’s partner had left the bed.
The alleged victim, who was then in a relationship with another man not present that night, told police Pethybridge then pulled down his underwear and forcibly performed oral sex on him until he pushed Pethybridge’s head away.
Pethybridge’s barrister said his client agreed both encounters happened as the woman lay asleep between them, but will argue the sexual contact was consensual and continued until the alleged victim climaxed.
The accused denied a third allegation he had touched the alleged victim’s genitalia while Pethybridge’s partner was still in the bed before the ensuing sexual encounter.
The alleged victim did not make a complaint to police until six months after the incident.
The Crown Prosecutor will say the alleged victim did not realise he had allegedly suffered a sexual assault until he was enlightened by conversations with a female neighbour and members of his family, prompting the belated complaint.
Pethybridge’s barrister will argue texts the alleged victim told police he wrote to his then-boyfriend informing him of the incident and apologising, saying it was not consensual, were never actually sent.
The trial will proceed before Judge Jennie Girdham and a jury at Downing Centre District Court this week.