Rugby coach accused of indecent assault 23/7/08
A jury heard claims today (Wed) that the head coach of Stornoway Rugby Club indecently assaulted a sleeping woman.
Australian Matthew John Hunter is on trial at Stornoway Sheriff Court. He pleaded not guilty to a sex offence against a female in Laxdale, Stornoway last November. On a second charge he denies a breach of the peace and disorderly conduct by entering her bed with her in it.
The 33-year-old of 10B Steinish is arguing a special defence of consent and is represented by senior counsel.
The court heard that both had been drinking separately in town and later had a conversation in the Sea Angling Club.
She went home alone and fell asleep within minutes.
Hunter insists she had invited him to her house for a party. When he arrived around 3 am there was no sign of life but he said he heard faint music from her room.
He knocked and despite no response entered. He said she opened her eyes, smiled and wasn’t upset to see him.
Hunter repeatedly insisted that he does not know why took off his jeans and got into bed with her but, in hindsight, accepted it was a bad decision.
He said that he climbed into her bed “in response to basically just a smile.”
Procurator fiscal David Teale stressed that the woman suffered unwanted sexual contact from Hunter which left her crying and very distressed.
He queried: “You think you can wake her up with some sort of sexual experience.”
Hunter said: “I don’t know why I did it. I never went up there with that intent.”
He added she was lying and had an “incorrect recollection of events” over her denial of any invitation and aspects of the alleged sex act.
Two rugby club players said they overheard her inviting him to a party.
Earlier QC Mark Stewart said that Hunter did not run away and was reluctant to leave even when told the police had been summoned and had to be "physically escorted out of the building."
The jury heard a taped interview Hunter gave to police where he believed his actions were consensual: "To my thinking she woke up when I came in."
The trial before Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood continues.
