Warning: This article contains details of alleged domestic violence and sexual assault.

NSW Police Officer Faces Trial on 19 Domestic Violence Charges

The accused cannot be named to avoid identifying the complainant, his former wife.

A NSW police officer is standing trial at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court, facing 19 domestic violence-related charges. The trial is being heard before a jury.

The Allegations

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Rohan Cooley told the court that the complainant is expected to give evidence of alleged assaults spanning six years.

The alleged incidents include:

• Three sexual offences on one day, culminating in the accused locking the bedroom door and sexually assaulting her despite her telling him to stop.
• An incident where the accused allegedly smashed her head into a pole.
• Choking: putting his hand around her neck and applying pressure, leaving her gasping for air, prompting a child to intervene.
• Punching her on the chin in an uppercut motion.
• Pushing her head forcefully into the passenger side window of their car multiple times.

Intimidation Allegations

The Crown alleges that during a disagreement, the accused caused the car she was driving to lose traction and stop in the middle of the road. He is charged with intimidation for allegedly changing gears and pulling the handbrake from the passenger seat while she was driving at approximately 70 km/h.

The court heard that a child in the car called Triple Zero but hung up after the accused said, "I will lose my job if you do that."

On another occasion, the accused allegedly told his wife: "I'll bash your head against the wall," leading to a further intimidation charge.

The complainant is also expected to give evidence that when she suggested reporting an alleged sexual touching without consent, the accused replied: "Try it, with your credibility."

Defence Response

Defence barrister Claire Wasley stated that the accused denies all charges.

Ms Wasley noted that the relationship was "ultimately a toxic one" and that both parties had mental health struggles. She urged the jury to pay close attention to the complainant's evidence, including text messages and recorded conversations, and said the defence case would emerge through cross-examination and the accused's written and recorded responses.

The trial continues.