NT jockey Raymond Vigar’s Surpeme Court trial has been stopped and the jury dismissed

A mistrial has been declared for a top Territory jockey facing assault and rape allegations. Here’s why the jury was dismissed.

The jury has been dismissed in the seventh day of the trial of a top Territory jockey who allegedly assaulted and raped a woman.

Raymond Charles Vigar pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court to assault allegations, as well as rape, deprivation of liberty and theft charges.

The court previously heard allegations the 27-year-old Darwin and Alice Springs cups winner “flogged” a young woman and threatened to “stick (a) knife in your vagina”.

Despite closing arguments being due on Tuesday, Justice Sonia Brownhill declared a mistrial and dismissed the jury.

While the jury was in chambers, the court heard police did not disclose a police report from an incident until six days into the high-profile trial.

Defence barrister Jon Tippett said a neighbour filed a noise complaint to police after allegedly hearing Vigar fighting with the young woman.

NT jockey Raymond Vigar enters the NT Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to assault Picture: Glenn Campbell

The court heard police attended and filed a record of attendance, but it was not disclosed to Mr Tippett until Monday evening.

He said the police report from the incident had been incorrectly named, meaning it was only discovered after witnesses had been questioned.

Justice Brownhill said the late disclosure meant Vigar’s representatives were not able to properly cross examine witnesses, including the police officer in charge.

Justice Brownhill said this was the second incident during the seven day trial.

“The prejudice involved in this cross examination is enhanced in the sense it is cumulative,” she said.

“In addition to that, the information from the OIC (officer in charge) is that there has yet to be further disclosure because there has been an inability to obtain notebooks from the two attending police officers.

“It seems to me quite likely for the jurors to wonder why defence or the crown hasn’t asked the officer in charge about police records.

“It means there is unanswered cross examination.”

NT jockey Raymond Vigar enters the NT Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to assault Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Director of Public Prosecutions representative and barrister Deborah Mandie did not oppose the mistrial application.

Justice Brownhill thanked the 12 jury members and back up juror, but told them she had to dismiss them.

“Something has arisen this morning which means that this trial can no longer proceed any further,” she said.

“These things sometimes happen in criminal trials.”

Mr Tippet asked for amendments to his client’s bail to allow him to attend certain race tracks, and to replace his ankle monitor with a condition to check in with police every week.

Vigar will return to the Supreme Court on December 22 as part of the criminal call-over list.

Top Darwin jockey denies assault, rape charges

MONDAY, NOV 14: A top Darwin jockey has denied “flogging” and raping a woman as his week-long Supreme Court trial begins.

Supporters and thoroughbred racing representatives watched as Raymond Charles Vigar pleaded not guilty to assault allegations, as well as rape, deprivation of liberty and theft charges.

The 27-year-old Darwin and Alice Springs cups winner appeared in the Supreme Court in Darwin on Monday for the first day of his five-day trial.

Director of Public Prosecutions representative and barrister Deborah Mandie alleged Vigar’s “rages” occurred when the professional jockey was “wasting weight” and not eating before a race.

Raymond Charles Vigar enters Supreme Court during day one of his trial. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Vigar pleaded not guilty to assaulting and raping a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

It was alleged Vigar pushed the woman into a chair, punched her in the bicep before saying: “That’s not a real flogging, I’ll show you what a real flogging is”.

Ms Mandie alleged later that evening Vigar raped her as she cried and repeatedly asked him to stop.

Shift the Risk, ridden by Raymond Vigar, winner of the NT Guineas. Picture: Nikki Westover

Vigar also allegedly held a butter knife over her body, and threatened to “stick this knife in your vagina”.

Ms Mandie alleged the woman reported finding clumps of hair falling out and an “egg-shaped” lump from where Vigar slammed her head against the floor.

The 27-year-old also denied he had trapped the woman in his car before driving erratically through Darwin’s suburbs.

Defence lawyer Jon Tippett KC is representing Raymond Charles Vigar at the Darwin Supreme Court. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Defence barrister Jon Tippett KC described the 15 charges as a “pile-on”, and appealed for the jury to use their “common sense” and remember the burden of proof throughout the five-day trial.

“(It) describes an intensity and exaggeration designed to give effect to allegations that are not bound in fact,” Mr Tippett said.

“You have a heavy responsibility to apply that standard correctly.

“I hope that you would apply them as you would expect them to apply to you.”

The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge of damaging the woman’s iPhone.

The trial before Justice Sonia Brownhill will continue this week.

Originally published as NT jockey Raymond Vigar’s Surpeme Court trial has been stopped and the jury dismissed