Former Maryborough teacher Francis Xavier ‘Frank’ Crameri, 66, pleads not guilty to rape, sexual assault
A widower former Maryborough teacher allegedly raped a woman in a country motel room before telling her “that was great”, a court has heard.
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A widower former Maryborough teacher allegedly raped a woman in a country motel room before telling her “that was great”, a court has heard.
Francis Xavier “Frank” Crameri, 66, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to a string of four sexual assault and rape charges dating from a trip in regional Victoria in 2020.
Crameri was most recently teaching at Bendigo tafe.
In her opening address the jury, Prosecutor Fiona Martin said they would hear evidence would evidence Crameri and his alleged victim booked into a motel room with a spa bath and a king bed when Crameri became tired and needed to soothe his legs after a long day of travelling.
The woman declined Crameri’s offer to join him in the bath, and repeatedly said she did not want an intimate relationship with him, Ms Martin said.
When she got into bed, it is alleged Crameri immediately began “spooning” her.
“She didn’t want to do anything and wasn’t interested,” Ms Martin said.
The four charges relate to allegations Crameri sucked the woman’s breasts, briefly penetrated her with his fingers and penis, and then made her touch his penis.
Ms Martin said Crameri told the woman after the incident, “that was great”, before falling asleep.
It is also alleged Crameri told the woman, who was in her 60s, words to the effect of “at least you won’t get pregnant”.
The woman told Crameri the next day he had physically hurt her, made notes of the incident and spoke to a friend when she arrived home.
“When she arrived home she made some notes about what had happened because she was angry,” Ms Martin said.
The jury is expected to hear prosecution evidence from the woman, two of her friends, and two doctors.
In an interview with detectives, Crameri admitted he partook in sexual activity with the woman, but said it was consensual.
He also disputed other aspects of the woman’s account of the night.
Defence barrister Richard Edney said the allegations against his client were “disputed, denied, and will be challenged”.
“Just because (the woman) says these things happened, does not mean they happened,” he said.
Mr Edney said the case against Crameri would “rise and fall on her (the woman’s) credibility”.
He said the jury would hear “two very different versions of what went on”.
The trial, before Judge George Georgiou and a jury of eight women and four men, continues.
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