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New twist in alleged rape case of Sri Lankan cricketer facing lengthy legal battle after being accused of assaulting a woman he met on Tinder
- Danushka Gunathilaka, Sri Lankan cricketer, charged with alleged sexual assault
- He is accused of raping a 29-year-old woman in Rose Bay, in the east of the city.
- Police allege Mr Gunathilaka matched a woman on Tinder while in Sydney
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A lawyer for Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka criticized the long delays in court proceedings.
Sydney Downing Center local court was informed on Thursday that the Crown had yet to hand over a brief of evidence to the defense despite the fact that the cricketer was indicted months ago.
The delays come as the international cricket star faces a lengthy legal battle in a foreign country.
Police allege that Mr Gunathilaka matched a woman on a dating app while in Sydney for the T20 World Cup last year.
Police allege Mr Gunathilaka matched a woman on a dating app while in Sydney for the T20 World Cup
The local court at Sydney Downing Center received on Thursday that the Crown had yet to hand over a brief of evidence to the defense despite the fact that the cricketer was indicted months ago.
He allegedly chatted with the woman multiple times online before they met on November 2.
The couple had drinks in the city before returning to the woman’s home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs around 11 p.m., according to police.
Gunathilaka allegedly ignored the woman’s request to “take it easy” and instead strangled and assaulted the 29-year-old woman in her own home, according to a fact sheet filed by police at an earlier hearing.
The senior hitter allegedly positioned himself on top of the woman when the couple moved into the bedroom. Police say the woman felt uncomfortable and agreed to continue sexual activity only if Gunathilaka used a condom.
“He protested, but finally agreed,” police allege in court documents.
Mr. Gunathilaka allegedly ignored the woman’s request to “take it easy” and instead strangled and assaulted the 29-year-old woman in her own home.
The woman told police that she later found the condom on the floor next to the bed.
Police allege the woman was “in shock” and did not consent to sex without a condom. She again asked him to use a condom, but he refused and instead engaged in forceful sexual activity, police say.
During the several hours he stayed at the woman’s home, Mr. Gunathilaka allegedly strangled the woman several times and slapped her buttocks.
The woman was “frozen and in shock” before the international cricketer asked her to order an Uber for him. He left his house just before 1 am.
The alleged victim told police that she was sore and swollen and was unable to work the next day because she “couldn’t stop crying.”
He allegedly forced himself to climb on top of the woman when the couple moved into the bedroom.
During the several hours he stayed at the woman’s home, Mr. Gunathilaka allegedly strangled the woman several times and slapped her buttocks.
Gunathilaka pleaded not guilty to the four counts of sexual assault.
His lawyer, Alen Sahinovic, told the court that the Crown had not provided any evidence to his team.
He criticized the delays and asked the court to order the Crown to deliver the work report within a week.
The prosecutor admitted that the letter was not yet in compliance.
Judge Derek Price ordered service of the brief at the end of January and the matter returned to court on February 23.
The delay comes less than a month after a court was told the Sri Lankan cricketer was adjusting to life in Sydney while taking part in lengthy legal proceedings.
The 31-year-old man has been granted permission to move into a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s inner west before the festive break.
He previously surrendered his passport and has been ordered not to approach any international departure point as a bail provision.
The Sri Lankan was ordered to report to the police every day and abide by a nightly curfew.
Mr. Gunathilaka’s bail was backed by a $150,000 guarantee provided by a “friend of a friend” and a further $50,000 provided by the cricketer.