Cops accused of rape after tour of Victorian bushfires region
TWO South Australian police officers who went to Victoria to help in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires face rape charges.
A 20-year-old woman was raped and indecently assaulted by two South Australian police officers who went to Victoria to help in the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires, a court has heard.
The Melbourne Magistrates' Court this morning heard that Damien Wilmott, 29, and Steven Westcott, 39, were part of a contingent of 50 SA police officers that stayed at a south-eastern suburbs hotel in early March to help local police with relief efforts.
The committal hearing was told a 20-year-old female complainant was also coincidently placed in the hotel by a charity organisation because she needed emergency accommodation.
Prosecutor Ray Gibson said in his opening of the committal that on the last day of their work, the SA police were taken on a tour of the devastated bushfire areas before going to a social function where they consumed lots of alcohol.
He said that Mr Wilmott, who faces one charge of rape and one charge of indecent assault, went back to the hotel where he drank more alcohol before he repeatedly knocked on the 20-year-old's door to ask whether she wanted a drink.
The court heard she repeatedly said “no” and “go away” and tried to close the door on Mr Wilmott before he pushed the door and caused the woman to fall backwards.
Mr Gibson said the complainant then asked Mr Wilmott to leave before he stripped off his clothes, said “you know you want it”, pushed her on the bed and digitally raped her.
The hearing heard then that Mr Westcott, who faces one charge of indecent assault, heard the noises coming from the 20-year-old's room and went to investigate and found Mr Wilmott naked on the floor.
“Just get dressed, you can get us into a lot of trouble for this,” Mr Westcott allegedly said to his colleague.
The court heard Mr Westcott also indecently assaulted the woman before leaving with Mr Wilmott.
The committal hearing continues.
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