A police officer accused of indecently assaulting a junior colleague in his car after a work function says the attack never happened.
Richard Brown was an acting sergeant at a Melbourne police station in 2005 when he started talking to a probationary constable at a work function.
The woman had been subjected to bullying by other Victoria Police colleagues and heard from an officer Brown could help her, prosecutor Matthew Fisher told the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday.
Brown, who was 33 at the time, repeatedly told the woman he wanted to tell her something and ultimately insisted he would drive her to her car, Mr Fisher said.
The prosecutor alleged Brown used his position as station supervisor to assure the woman he would help her resolve her workplace issues.
She believed and trusted him, he said.
Instead of driving the woman to her car, though, Brown allegedly pulled up along a foreshore, before locking his car doors and trying to kiss the woman, Mr Fisher said.
He then indecently assaulted her, grabbing her breasts and forcing her to perform a sexual act, Mr Fisher alleged.
"Although (the alleged victim) suffered no physical injuries as a result of the attack … she was upset, she was shocked, she was angry," the prosecutor said.
The next day, the woman reported the alleged assault to a friend, her mother, a work mediator, her partner and colleagues, the court was told.
She also reported the alleged assault to a doctor about a fortnight later.
Her complaint was escalated to Victoria Police's ethical standards department, but she ultimately made a "statement of no complaint" saying she wanted to get on with her career and didn't want to embarrass Brown's family.
The woman was arrested for misconduct after she lodged her complaint.
She was later exonerated of a criminal charge and given workplace guidance.
In 2019 the woman again raised the alleged sexual assault with Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command, saying she had matured since the attack and her perspective on life had changed.
Defence barrister David Cronin said Brown denied locking his car doors and attacking the woman.
The jury should question whether the woman was telling the truth or whether her interaction with Brown was consensual sexual activity between adults, he said.
They should also consider whether there were issues with her performance at work, whether she wanted a transfer and whether she was reliable and consistent, Mr Cronin said.
Brown has pleaded not guilty to two indecent assault charges.
The trial before Judge Frances Hogan continues.
