‘I did because I was terrified:’ Alleged teenage rape victim saw guns and knife in car

‘I thought if I gave him what he wanted he would stop hurting me:’ A teenager has described being “terrified” by the sight of guns and a knife before her alleged rape.

Burnie magistrates and supreme court file, Burnie court illustrative, Burnie supreme, Burnie magistrates court 2025. Picture: Elise Kaine

A teenager told police she did as she was told the night of her alleged rape as she was “terrified” after seeing guns and a knife in the car.

In a police interview the then 14-year-old alleged victim said she tried to meet up with James David Perry in a public place before he drove her to “the middle of the bush” and raped her.

Mr Perry is standing trial in the Burnie Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to 8 counts of rape, 6 counts of penetrative sexual abuse of a child or young person and 2 of indecent assault and other charges.

James David Perry has plead not guilty to 8 counts of rape, 6 counts of penetrative sexual abuse of a child or young person and 2 of indecent assault and other charges. . Picture: Elise Kaine

The crimes were alleged to have occurred in 2018-19 against six school-aged girls while Mr Perry was around 19 years old.

According to the police interview recorded in 2019, Mr Perry told the girl he was going through a “tough time” and needed to talk to a friend.

The girl agreed and rode her bike to Goliath Park in Railton to meet Mr Perry, as it was a public place with cameras and she thought there would be people around.

She said she had heard from her friends when meeting with Mr Perry they were pressured into doing “sexual things” which is why she wanted to meet in public.

“I didn’t want that to happen to me,” she said in the police interview.

“I thought, it’s a public place with cameras, he’s less likely to try anything there.”

Once Mr Perry arrived at the park the young girl said she felt pressured to get in the car with him because she saw two guns and a knife.

The young girl said Mr Perry said he would take her home, but instead drove the pair to Native Rock at Railton.

When parked he started “putting his hands all over” the girl while she was trying to push him away, she told police.

The girl said she took her own shirt and bra off after Mr Perry got agitated when he couldn’t get it undone.

“I thought if I gave him what he wanted he would stop hurting me,” she said.

According to the police interview, Mr Perry then grabbed her by the back of the head and pushed her mouth towards his groin.

She then described how he forced her to perform oral sex.

“And I did because I was terrified,” the witness told police.

“I was terrified so I was agreeing with everything he said even though I wasn’t okay with it.”

The girl then told police she dissociated while Mr Perry raped her in the car.

“I tried to zone out and pretend it wasn’t happening so he couldn’t see it was upsetting me.

“I was looking at the trees around and trying to pretend nothing was happening.”

The trial continues on Friday.

Originally published as ‘I did because I was terrified:’ Alleged teenage rape victim saw guns and knife in car