Defence case concludes in trial of police officer accused of attempted rape

In the trial of a police officer charged with sexual offences, the defence case came to a close today after the prosecution completed its cross-examination.

33 year old Elliot Brooke is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape.

At the Supreme Court, police officer Elliott Brooke, defended himself under cross-examination by the Crown.

Prosecutor Johan Fernandez asked why the defendant had sent a message to the complainant on the night in question saying “come”. Mr Fernandez suggested it seemed like a command and would have put pressure on her. Mr Brooke said he saw nothing wrong with this language.

Mr Fernandez referenced the fact he had lost 30 kilos since the date of the alleged assault, and said he had used his body weight to pin the complainant against a wall during the first alleged assault.

Later the same evening, the prosecutor said the police officer ‘pounced’ on Miss X in a bathroom, trying to unzip her trousers and unbuckle her belt while kissing her, again using his body weight to restrain her, only giving up after the complainant repeatedly refused to comply.

The Court also heard details of a Whatsapp exchange between the pair in which the woman said his behaviour had been ‘unacceptable’, especially because he was her boss, to which the defendant told her to ‘move on’.

Throughout proceedings, Mr Brooke continued to deny all allegations. 

Closing arguments are expected tomorrow.