Not guilty … Timothy Davis
Source: The Daily Telegraph
US sailor cleared today of raping a prostitute in a Sydney brothel is “looking
forward” to returning to California.
While Petty Officer Timothy Davis had admitted using a “lockdown manoeuvre”
to pin the woman to the bed, he denied forcing himself on her, saying he had
only wanted his money back.
The 25-year-old had pleaded not guilty to having sexual intercourse without
consent, aggravated by causing the woman actual bodily harm.
He also denied an alternative charge that, with intent to have sexual
intercourse, he recklessly inflicted actual bodily harm on her.
After a week-long trial, a jury in the NSW District Court today found him not
guilty of both charges.
His lawyer Sam Macedone said Petty Officer Davis was “very happy” with the
verdicts.
“He is glad it’s over,” Mr Macedone said. “It has been very stressful for
him.
“He is looking forward to going back to San Diego.”
Petty Officer Davis had visited the brothel, in the inner-city suburb of
Potts Point, while on shore leave on October 12 last year.
The woman told the jury she had protected, consensual sexual activity with
“the customer”, who had been told that the “house rules” included using a condom
at all times.
He “changed” and became aggressive when she offered alternative services
after the sailor – who had been drinking – could not complete the act before his
half hour was up.
She said he “ripped” off his condom, telling her he had paid for sex and he
was going to finish it off “like a real man”.
The slight woman said he pushed her head into the pillow, started suffocating
her, and had unprotected sex for 30 seconds.
The jury was shown police photos depicting scratches on the woman, who
described Petty Officer Davis as an “animal” during an angry outburst at the
trial.
In his evidence, the sailor – who agreed his weight was more than double the
woman’s – admitted using a “lockdown manoeuvre” to pin her down to the bed when
she said she wanted to stop.
He said he told her he was going to “finish”, but when she kicked him away,
he backed off with his hands in the air.
When he demanded his money back, he said she started stomping and kicking
like “a rodeo”.
“After so much of her screaming, I did muffle her mouth with my hand – I
said, `Stop yelling,”’ he told the court, adding he used “attitude” and raised
his voice at her.
But after she started shouting “Stop!” and “Help!” he had realised what he
was doing was wrong, and had later told police he thought his behaviour was
“outrageous”.
