Police Officer accused of attempted rape says actions 'consensual'

The police officer accused of attempted rape and sexual assault has given evidence in his trial, telling jurors his actions were consensual.

Elliot Brooke told the court his life has fallen apart and that the allegations have had a huge impact on him.

Throughout the day, 33-year-old Brooke gave his account to the jury, admitting to kissing and touching the complainant but insisting she consented and reciprocated.

He alleges the complainant began a more intimate conversation by asking him to share something he had never told anyone before and, while he accepts their behaviour was “inappropriate and disgusting,” he denied any intention to have sex or act without consent.

Mr Brooke described the allegations as the “ultimate betrayal,” saying he didn’t know why the complainant had made them.

Cross-examination began straight after, with prosecutor Johan Fernandez putting it to the defendant that he had rejected the complainant's account, claiming that everything she said he initiated was actually her doing. Mr Fernandez also put it to Mr Brooke that he had made the conversation intimate after admitting he had been unfaithful in the past.

The trial, which is expected to conclude next week, saw a brief interruption in proceedings. The court lost a juror after the length of the trial was miscalculated. Chief Justice Anthony Dudley apologized to the juror and released her.

The trial continues.