Luke Bennett pleads not guilty to rape charges at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court

An accused Bendigo rapist will fight allegations at trial that he left a woman “really scared” during the alleged abuse, a court has heard.

Bendigo man Luke Bennett, 41, has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of rape.

An accused Bendigo rapist has denied he left a woman “really scared” during alleged rapes and abuse, a court has heard.

Strathfieldsaye man Luke Bennett, 41, pleaded not guilty at Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to multiple rape charges against a woman in Bendigo.

Mr Bennett contested the charges at a two-day committal hearing this week before Magistrate Sharon McRae where the complainant and several witnesses were cross examined.

A police officer, doctor and friends of the complainant gave evidence.

Police allege Luke Bennett abused a woman over a 10-year period.

The court heard the complainant told a friend Mr Bennett had “forced (the victim) to have sex with him”.

The defence raised some issues with the police investigation, revealing under cross examination the complainant had on two occasions requested for police to “shelve” the investigation, before asking for it to be reopened again.

Luke Bennett outside Bendigo Magistrates' Court.

The defence also cross examined the complainant’s doctor, sifting through her medical records for alleged inconsistencies in her evidence.

A sex crimes detective told the court when Mr Bennett was arrested and interviewed, he had “an explanation” for all the allegations put to him and he denied all of the offending.

Magistrate Sharon McRae found there was enough evidence for the case to be tested before a jury at trial, committing the case to the County Court.

Mr Bennett will remain on bail ahead of his trial.