Prosecutors say Timothy Malcolm Rowland was awake and aware of what was happening when he allegedly had sex with a woman without her consent.
A Sydney burlesque business owner claims he was asleep and suffering from an episode of “sexsomnia” when he is alleged to have raped a woman in his inner-city apartment, a jury has been told.
“The trial will ultimately be about whether the accused was awake or asleep and suffering from a parasomnia, that being sexsomnia, at the time of the offence,” Crown prosecutor Geoff Harrison said in his opening remarks on Tuesday. The prosecutor said Rowland was having sex with the woman, who then got out of bed and began to record him on her phone. Harrison anticipated the jury would hear Rowland ask on the recording, “Was that consensual?”The prosecutor said a person cannot consent to sexual intercourse if they are unconscious or asleep, and the Crown would assert the woman had been asleep.
The woman attended two hospitals that day but declined the morning after pill and forensic testing, according to facts agreed in the case. At a medical centre the next day, she also reported the alleged sexual assault.Defence barrister Elana Scoufis said her client “has a diagnosis called sexsomnia”, which she said was a non-rapid eye movement parasomnia, and “had an episode” that morning.
“Unfortunately for Mr Rowland, he has a long history of sleep sex as he sometimes refers to it, or sexsomnia,” the barrister said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Burlesque Performer Killed in Mistaken Arson AttackA young woman tragically lost her life in a house fire that was mistakenly targeted by arsonists. Katie Tangey, 21, was house-sitting for her brother and his wife in Melbourne when the fire broke out. Police are investigating the incident as a targeted attack, but believe the wrong home was firebombed.
Read more »
Burlesque Performer Killed in Suspected Arson AttackA Melbourne burlesque performer, Katie Tangey, was tragically killed in a suspected arson attack at a Truganina townhouse. Police believe the fire was targeted at the wrong address, as Tangey and her family have no criminal history. Two men were seen fleeing the scene after setting the fire, and police are investigating the incident as a homicide.
Read more »
Melbourne Arson: Burlesque Performer, Katie Tangey, Killed in Tragic AttackA beloved Melbourne burlesque performer, Katie Tangey, tragically lost her life in an arson attack. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide and searching for two suspects captured on CCTV. Tangey's mother is heartbroken, and the community mourns the loss of a talented and kind soul.
Read more »
Burlesque Performer Dies in Suspected Arson AttackTragedy strikes the Melbourne burlesque community as Katie Tangey, known professionally as Vivien May-Royale, loses her life in a house fire. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide after two suspects were seen pouring accelerant into the residence.
Read more »
‘Just by existing, he’s extended this war’: Timothy Snyder on Trump, Russia and UkraineHistorian and bestselling author of On Tyranny worries over Trump’s return to power – and the influence of Elon Musk
Read more »
South Korea's Yoon authorised 'shooting' during martial law bid, prosecutors saySouth Korea's suspended president authorised the military to fire their weapons to enter parliament during his failed martial law attempt, according to a prosecutors' report.
Read more »