In a recent legal verdict that has captured headlines and sparked discussions, a Sri Lankan international cricketer has been found not guilty of sexual assault allegations related to the controversial act known as “stealthing.” The case in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court involved a 32-year-old cricketer and a Tinder date. The judge’s decision has not only cleared the cricketer’s name but has also raised questions about the credibility of the allegations and the handling of the case.
Judge Sarah Huggett delivered the verdict of not guilty, acquitting the Sri Lankan cricketer of the sexual assault charges. The cricketer was present in court as he awaited the judge’s decision.
Judge Huggett’s decision was based on her assessment of the evidence presented during the trial. She stated, “The evidence establishes that there was no opportunity for the accused to remove the condom during intercourse because that intercourse was continuous.” This critical finding played a pivotal role in the acquittal.
The judge also questioned the alleged victim’s credibility, emphasizing that she did not deliberately provide false evidence but may have been motivated by a desire to portray the cricketer in a negative light. Judge Huggett stated, “I find that the evidence regarding the complaint far from supports the complainant. Rather, it undermines the reliability of her evidence.”
The cricketer and the woman in question initially matched on Tinder’s dating app. They decided to meet in person, beginning their evening with drinks at Opera Bar in November 2022. Afterward, they shared a meal in Sydney’s CBD and took a ferry to the woman’s home in the eastern suburbs.
The woman accused the cricketer of various acts of aggression and violence during their encounter. These allegations included his slapping her on the buttocks, forcefully kissing her, causing bruising to her lips, and choking her during sexual activity.
Initially, the police brought four charges against the 32-year-old cricketer, apprehended at the Hyatt Regency hotel just hours before the Sri Lankan cricket team was scheduled to depart the country. However, as the legal proceedings unfolded, prosecutors decided to drop three of those charges.
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Throughout the trial, the cricketer consistently maintained his innocence. He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent, specifically related to the controversial act of “stealthing” or removing a condom during sex without the woman’s consent.
The defense vigorously attacked the complainant’s credibility, arguing that her account of events had inconsistencies and that she had altered her version over time to portray the cricketer as aggressive.
The judge heard testimonies from two of the woman’s friends, who described her as fragile and distraught after the cricketer visited her home. Handling the case by the police also came under scrutiny, including concerns about omitted details, discarded notes, and potential contamination of witnesses.
