Warning: Graphic and distressing content
A former elite soldier and the founder of a Melbourne swingers network have both been ordered to stand trial over the alleged rape of a heavily intoxicated woman during a threesome in 2022.
Liam O’Flaherty, 35, and Gary Broughton, 45, faced a committal hearing on Friday with Magistrate Stephen Ballek finding there was sufficient evidence for the cases against both men to proceed to the County Court of Victoria.
Gary Broughton (centre) leaves the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on FridayCredit: Jason South
Ballek announced his decision after closing the court to view video footage of the sexual encounters, including a 21-minute recording of the threesome taken on January 20, 2022.
O’Flaherty will face five counts of rape arising from that incident, but has also been charged with other rape and sexual assault offences involving the same woman on January 12, 2022 and December 17, 2021.
Broughton was charged with four counts of rape and one count of sexual touching without consent from the January 20 threesome.
Former soldier Liam O’Flaherty outside court.Credit: Jason South
O’Flaherty and Broughton both pleaded not guilty at the hearing on Friday and indicated they would contest the charges. Submissions by their barristers on Friday were made while the court was closed and could not be reported on.
Detective Senior Constable Varri Mills from the Bayside sexual offences and child abuse investigation team told the court on October 22 that Broughton and O’Flaherty had met on hook-up app RedHotPie.
Mills said the recording of the threesome from January 20 showed the woman initially agreed and consented.
However, Mills said the woman had been severely affected by illicit drugs. She said other sections of the video revealed the woman’s “extreme intoxication” and “cognitive decline”, where she was incapable of giving consent.
At various stages, the woman’s body went limp, her eyes were glazed or closed. At one point, she slumped off a couch, Mills told the court.
O’Flaherty and Broughton will face a directions hearing in the County Court on December 2.
In 2018, Broughton started a company called Private Society, which claimed on its website to offer a “playground for the curious and open-minded to explore connections beyond the norm”.
“We maintain strict rules and guidelines to ensure that everyone feels secure and respected throughout our events. Our team is experienced in creating a welcoming environment, and we encourage open communication among guests to establish clear boundaries and expectations,” said the now-defunct website.
The company hosted regular swingers parties at Airbnb properties across Melbourne, before hosting regular events at a venue in Balaclava.
O’Flaherty previously served with the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan, and according to a recently deleted social media account had provided security for former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull during a tour of the Middle East.
According to Broughton’s RedHotPie profile, the 45-year-old tradesman has been active in Melbourne’s swingers scene for 14 years.
Using the alias Josh Devlin, Broughton said he had attended “most of Melbourne’s most prominent play parties and events”.
“I absolutely love group play, the social interactions and bringing like-minded people together, which is why after noticing a need for classy and specialised events I started Private Society,” Broughton stated on his now-deleted profile.
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
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