Man accused of impersonating a police officer and forcing a prostitute to perform sex acts fronts court

SHE thought she was being taken to a hotel to be interrogated, a court has heard. Now a prostitute is set to be grilled on why she didn’t scream.

Fake police officer ‘raped’ escort

LAWYERS for a man who allegedly impersonated a police officer then forced a prostitute to perform sex acts will cross-examine the victim about why she “chose” not to scream.

The 34-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of forcing the escort to perform sex acts at a Burleigh hotel on February 18 last year.

He is charged with one count each of assuming the designation or description of a police officer and rape.

Police allege the man arranged to meet the prostitute then introduced himself as an undercover police officer investigating the sex industry.

It’s alleged the fake police officer made two recordings of an “interview” about how she was not licensed as an escort and was breaking the law by working in the hotel.

Defence barrister John Jacob applied in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to cross-examine the victim about “inconsistencies” in her statements.

Mr Jacob said there was an absence of any direct threat or act of violence by his client and said he wanted to ask the complainant why she felt she couldn’t scream.

The court was told the woman allegedly believed the man was a police officer and felt like she had to give him oral sex, otherwise he would charge her.

The man allegedly told the sex worker he was “meant to receive a service” and “that’s how it goes”.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan ordered the victim to be cross-examined about how the man blocked the exit, why she was scared of violence and why she couldn’t scream.

The committal hearing will be held on May 23.

Originally published as Man accused of impersonating a police officer and forcing a prostitute to perform sex acts fronts court