Arabic version: لاكلان يونغ ينفي تهمة اغتصاب

According to ABC News, Ballarat man Lachlan Young, 24, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in a trial before the County Court in Melbourne. Prosecutors allege he raped a 16-year-old at his neighbour’s property in Sebastopol on February 5, 2024.

Prosecutor Andrew Buckland told the jury that Young, then 21, had met the complainant at the neighbour’s house on February 4, 2024. In the early hours of the following day, Young allegedly messaged the girl on Snapchat asking to meet in the backyard. The prosecutor said the pair engaged in consensual sexual touching before Young allegedly forced her to have sexual intercourse against her will.

The court heard the complainant later exchanged Snapchat messages with Young. Prosecutors said she accused him of rape in messages sent in February 2024, while Young replied, “what are you on about?” before blocking her. Mr Buckland said the girl later disclosed the allegation to a school counsellor and took part in a police interview on April 2, 2024.

Defence barrister Glenn Casement said consensual sexual touching occurred but denied that intercourse took place. He told jurors that the complainant’s credibility and reliability would be central to their assessment, and said they should consider claimed changes in her account.

Young sat in the court dock as a jury of 10 men and two women was selected. The complainant cannot be identified for legal reasons. The trial, before Judge Caitlin English, continues.