A former police constable, David Robert Blackbourne, aged 56, from New South Wales, is facing accusations of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in a police station while on duty and in uniform. Additionally, he is alleged to have provided alcohol to the teenager and her friend, claiming it was confiscated, as disclosed in court.
Blackbourne has pleaded not guilty to two charges of indecent assault, two charges of non-consensual sexual intercourse, and one count of misconduct while holding a public office. The incidents in question reportedly occurred over two decades ago in 1998 when Blackbourne was 28 years old, in a rural town in New South Wales near the Victoria border.
The trial commenced at the Downing Centre District Court on July 20 and is anticipated to last for five days. Prosecutors claim that Blackbourne and the underage girl, known as ‘Dave’ to her, had met several times in connection with a separate police case. Allegedly, in late 1998, Blackbourne and another unidentified officer offered the girls a ride home after a walk, making a stop at the police station where they were given alcohol before being dropped off.
Subsequently, Blackbourne purportedly picked up the girl, who had recently turned 17, from a local pub in a police car. It is alleged that he handcuffed her, kissed her without consent, and engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. The victim reported the incidents to the police in 2016, leading to Blackbourne’s arrest and charges in 2023.
Blackbourne’s defense team strongly refutes all allegations, denying any involvement in the reported events. They contest the claims of picking up the complainant, handcuffing her, engaging in any unauthorized physical contact, or any form of sexual intercourse, consensual or otherwise. While acknowledging Blackbourne’s position as a police officer at the time, they vehemently dispute the accusations of misconduct and sexual acts.
The defense highlighted the challenges of relying on evidence from an incident dating back over 20 years, emphasizing the need for scrutiny regarding the accuracy and reliability of the testimonies. The judge instructed the jury that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution to establish the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected as the case unfolds.
