Men on Trial for Alleged Assault in Darwin

0:00This is Sydney News Today, powered by AI and presented by The Daily News Now. Two men are standing trial in Northern Territories Supreme Court on nine counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Prosecutors say they picked up a young woman outside a Darwin nightclub early on January 14, 2024, and sexually assaulted her for over eight hours in her apartment. The woman had been drinking heavily and was waiting for an Uber around 3.30 a.m. When the men, who were not her drivers, approached her. The trial opened on Monday with prosecutors describing her fragmented memories of the night, including blackouts and flashes of the assaults. CCTV footage from her apartment block shows her collapsing out of their car at 3.44 a.m. lying still for over a minute and needing help to. Walk inside, was she vomited before entering. Both men, Panermitis, Sharlampus, and Michael Ruvis plead not guilty and claim all sexual activity was consensual.

1:00Their lawyers argue she was not too intoxicated to agree, and that they were just helping her get home safely after finding her on the street. Defense attorneys point out the men stayed over eight hours without dispute and highlight moments like her sharing a cigarette on the balcony, suggesting she was capable of consent throughout. They stressed the case hinges on her credibility and reliability. The central question for the jury remains whether her level of intoxication stripped her of the ability to consent freely. The trial continues as both sides present their evidence. Quick thanks to today's sponsor. See the description for more. If earbuds fall out when you sleep, this is for you, a pillow with built-in sound, S-O-L-L-I, solely pillow.com.