July 16th 2024.
In a recent trial at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney, three men were accused of gang-raping three women during a bachelor party at their rented property. The accused, Maurice Hawell, his brother Marius Hawell, and their friend Andrew David, have been facing this joint trial for almost four weeks now.
After a lengthy and thorough trial, the jury has reached a decision and delivered nine guilty verdicts against the men for the sexual assault of the three women. The incident had occurred in February of 2022, when the women were lured to the men's rented Airbnb in Newcastle. The timing of this crime was particularly shocking as it was just before Maurice Hawell's wedding.
The jury found the men guilty of multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault in the presence of all three women. In addition, Maurice Hawell was also found guilty of attempting to sexually touch one of the victims without her consent. The jury has been asked to continue their deliberations for the remaining count of aggravated sexual assault in the presence of all three men.
Judge Gina O'Rourke has informed the jury that they do not need a unanimous decision, and a majority verdict would suffice for the final count. The men arrived in court wearing prison greens and were seen blowing kisses to their female supporters in the courtroom.
During the trial, the jury heard that the men had met the three teenage women at a nearby pub and had invited them back to their apartment. After consensual sexual activity, the women were allegedly pushed onto a bed, stripped, and sexually assaulted by the men. The room was dark, so it was difficult to determine exactly who had committed the acts, but the prosecutors maintained that the three men had planned and executed this crime together.
On the following night, a 19-year-old victim entered the apartment under the pretense of having drinks but was instead raped by Maurice Hawell and Andrew David. Marius Hawell was also present in the room and watched as the other two men took turns in committing these heinous acts.
The trial has come to an end, but the jury is still in deliberation for the final count. The accused men will have to face the consequences of their actions, and justice will be served for the women who were victims of this horrific crime.
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