A prosecutor has claimed that a man from a well-known family fabricated a series of falsehoods to shift responsibility after allegedly raping a woman in his residence.

The trial, which involves a man whose identity is protected for legal reasons, reached its concluding phase today as attorneys delivered their final statements to the jury at the Victorian County Court.

The prosecution contends that the defendant sexually assaulted his friend’s girlfriend at his Melbourne home in the early morning of January 14, 2024.

According to testimonies, the woman had willingly engaged in sexual activity with her boyfriend at the residence. However, he arranged for an Uber and departed the premises shortly before 2 a.m.

It is alleged that the defendant then deceived the woman by claiming that her boyfriend would be returning upstairs as his Uber ride had been canceled.

Prosecutors allege it was the accused who went into the dark bedroom a short time later and pretended to be the woman’s boyfriend before digitally raping her twice. 

In the days after, the man doctored an Uber receipt to allegedly make it look like the complainant’s boyfriend had left the house after 2.30am.

The accused admitted forging the receipt but said he did so because he panicked after being falsely accused of rape. 

Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the jury the fake receipt was part of a series of lies the man told to avoid responsibility.

“He was shifting the blame, making it look like there was someone other than him in the house,” McWilliams said. 

He said the jury should ignore the man’s lies and instead believe the alleged victim, who had given clear, consistent and convincing evidence. 

“She’s not mistaken, she’s not confused – she told you what happened,” McWilliams said. 

Defence barrister David Hallowes SC said even the woman had doubted her recollection, telling people she was unsure whether it was the accused or her boyfriend who came into the room. 

Hallowes said the woman did not get a clear look at the offender and it was possible her mind was playing tricks on her when she concluded the accused was responsible.

The defence barrister conceded his client made the “stupid” decision to forge the Uber receipt, but said he did so because he panicked. 

“This is a young man confronting a shocking allegation,” Hallowes said.

“It’s a stupid lie but it’s not a lie that shows he’s guilty.” 

The defence barrister said the man was innocent and should be acquitted of the two rape charges.

Judge Gregory Lyon will give his directions to the jury tomorrow before it begins deliberations.