Far North doctor takes the stand, denies raping his wife in Cairns District Court trial
A Far North Queensland doctor who pleaded not guilty to the rape of his wife has given evidence about a recorded “apology” phone call and his actions on the day of the alleged rape.
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A Far North Doctor who pleaded not guilty to the rape of his wife in late 2018 gave evidence in Cairns District Court yesterday about a recorded “apology” phone call and his actions on the day of the alleged rape.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing one count of rape.
He told the court no rape occurred on the day in question.
He also said he did not call his wife to apologise that day.
Evidence has been given to the court that the woman stayed in a hotel on the night after the alleged rape, and that she called a family member in distress that same night.
She made a complaint to police more than two years after the alleged offence, the jury heard.
Yesterday, defence barrister Craig Eberhardt, KC, tendered the man’s phone and digital records and questioned him about his activities on the day of the alleged rape.
The court was shown phone records that showed the man exchanged several messages with his wife on the morning in question about an issue he was attending to.
The court was also shown a number of later affectionate text messages between the man and wife, and photos from a holiday they took after the alleged rape.
The doctor said he had not believed there were issues in his marriage at this time.
Mr Eberhardt asked the man if he had ever been charged or convicted with any criminal, domestic violence or professional misconduct offence, to which he answered “no”.
The man was also questioned about a recorded phone conversation between him and his wife, which took place in 2021, in which he apologised for an incident.
The man said his wife recorded the conversation without his knowledge.
He said the apologies he made to his wife in that conversation were for his behaviour during a different and more recent sexual interaction in which she had become upset.
He said he did not believe they were discussing an incident from 2018.
The court heard the marriage had since gone through a “very rocky” time.
The jury trial continues before Judge Joshua Trevino KC.
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