AFL-linked identity charged with rape
- Figure well known in AFL circles accused of rape
- He appeared in court on Friday
An AFL-linked figure has been charged with two counts of raping a woman.
The man appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where his lawyer successfully argued that his name should not be published in the media until his next court hearing in July.
He is accused of raping his alleged victim twice on the night of Sunday, January 14 this year, in Balwyn North, in Melbourne’s east.
He was charged on Friday following a summons by Box Hill’s sex crimes and child abuse investigation team, reports said The Herald Sun.
The man is charged with two counts of rape and two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
A man with links to the AFL has been charged with rape. For legal reasons he cannot be named
The secondary charges relate to the man who allegedly used a “fake Uber” the next day in an attempt to conceal the alleged actions.
He also allegedly told someone else to lie about his whereabouts and suggest another person had committed the alleged crimes.
It is understood that psychiatric reports have played a role in the man’s defence, with him successfully arguing for the suppression of his identity, as well as no criminal history.
Another member of the man’s family is also well known in AFL circles and played a role in the award of the order.
The man was questioned by detectives earlier this year and appeared in court on Friday, wearing a suit and tie, hours after he was charged.
Bail was granted with conditions including that he remain in Australia.
He must appear in court again in July.