Miss-Delectable
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http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,17930921%5E36399,00.html
A PROFOUNDLY deaf woman who was allegedly raped by two men in her southern Brisbane home was unable to call out for help because she was also a mute, a court has been told.
The woman's vulnerability was compounded by the fact that three of her friends who were in the house at the time and who may have been able to help her were also impaired and did not realise she was in trouble.
Details of the July 4, 2002 attack were relayed to a Brisbane District Court jury yesterday on the opening day of the joint rape trial for Leigh Evan Hardwidge and Selwyn Allan Russon.
Both men pleaded not guilty.
In his opening address, Prosecutor Peter Feeney told the court the woman and a female friend, also deaf, had gone out socialising at a local RSL club, in Brisbane's south, where the woman was approached by Hardwidge.
He began conversing with her via a series of notes scribbled on paper throughout the night and she eventually invited him and his two friends back to her home.
The group – including three of the woman's hearing impaired friends – hung out together for a while at the house before the woman and Hardwidge retired to her bedroom to have sex.
But Mr Feeney said it would be alleged Russon walked in on them uninvited, removed the woman's underwear and had sex with her while Hardwidge restrained her.
The Crown does not allege Hardwidge had sex with the woman but have charged him with rape on the basis that he allegedly held her shoulders down during the incident.
The court was told the victim's friends who were in the loungeroom were apparently first alerted to a potential problem when the third invited male guest who had been sitting with them got up and walked into the bedroom.
Mr Feeney said the woman fled from the room and Hardwidge, Russon and the third man all jumped out of the woman's bedroom window. They left in their car after a brief written exchange with the woman's friends.
It will be alleged Russon's DNA was found on vaginal swabs taken from the victim.
Mr Feeney said before the alleged rape had occurred the victim had picked up on a conversation between the men where she believed they were wanting a threesome, but she made it clear she was only interested in sex with Hardwidge.
Special arrangements have been made in the Brisbane District courtroom where the case is being heard to interpret the sign language evidence to be given by the victim and her friends over coming days. A video camera has also been set up to tape the signed evidence.
The trial, before Judge Milton Griffin, SC, continues.
A PROFOUNDLY deaf woman who was allegedly raped by two men in her southern Brisbane home was unable to call out for help because she was also a mute, a court has been told.
The woman's vulnerability was compounded by the fact that three of her friends who were in the house at the time and who may have been able to help her were also impaired and did not realise she was in trouble.
Details of the July 4, 2002 attack were relayed to a Brisbane District Court jury yesterday on the opening day of the joint rape trial for Leigh Evan Hardwidge and Selwyn Allan Russon.
Both men pleaded not guilty.
In his opening address, Prosecutor Peter Feeney told the court the woman and a female friend, also deaf, had gone out socialising at a local RSL club, in Brisbane's south, where the woman was approached by Hardwidge.
He began conversing with her via a series of notes scribbled on paper throughout the night and she eventually invited him and his two friends back to her home.
The group – including three of the woman's hearing impaired friends – hung out together for a while at the house before the woman and Hardwidge retired to her bedroom to have sex.
But Mr Feeney said it would be alleged Russon walked in on them uninvited, removed the woman's underwear and had sex with her while Hardwidge restrained her.
The Crown does not allege Hardwidge had sex with the woman but have charged him with rape on the basis that he allegedly held her shoulders down during the incident.
The court was told the victim's friends who were in the loungeroom were apparently first alerted to a potential problem when the third invited male guest who had been sitting with them got up and walked into the bedroom.
Mr Feeney said the woman fled from the room and Hardwidge, Russon and the third man all jumped out of the woman's bedroom window. They left in their car after a brief written exchange with the woman's friends.
It will be alleged Russon's DNA was found on vaginal swabs taken from the victim.
Mr Feeney said before the alleged rape had occurred the victim had picked up on a conversation between the men where she believed they were wanting a threesome, but she made it clear she was only interested in sex with Hardwidge.
Special arrangements have been made in the Brisbane District courtroom where the case is being heard to interpret the sign language evidence to be given by the victim and her friends over coming days. A video camera has also been set up to tape the signed evidence.
The trial, before Judge Milton Griffin, SC, continues.