Bombshell twist as new footage from scene of alleged carpark stairwell gang rape reveals a ‘very, very different version of events,’ lawyer for accused teenager claims

  • Crucial new evidence emerged of alleged gang rape of two Adelaide women
  • The women, aged 18 and 19, were allegedly sexually assaulted on Hindley St
  • Lawyer for accused boy, 17, said new video could provide ‘complete defence’
  • Police responded that the video in question did not show the entire incident 

By Peter Vincent For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 10:34 GMT, 19 December 2022 | Updated: 10:50 GMT, 19 December 2022

The defence for seven males facing trial for an alleged gang rape in a car park stairwell claims new video evidence proves their clients should be acquitted, a court heard.

The accused, aged between 16 and 23, were charged over the alleged sexual assault of two women, 18 and 19, in Adelaide’s Plaza Hotel car park on Hindley Street on December 3.

But on Monday, defence counsel Scott Laidlaw asked the South Australian Youth Court to release his 17-year-old client, who is yet to enter a plea, on bail instead of home detention, declaring the nature of the case has changed in light of the new footage, The Advertiser reported.

On Thursday, a 21-year-old co-accused had his bid for bail put on hold at the Adelaide Magistrates Court after phone camera footage emerged of the night in question.

His lawyer is now scrambling to chase the potential new evidence in the case.

The defence for seven males facing trial for an alleged gang rape in a car park stairwell (pictured) claims new video evidence proves their clients should be acquitted, a court heard

The defence for seven males facing trial for an alleged gang rape in a car park stairwell (pictured) claims new video evidence proves their clients should be acquitted, a court heard

Seven men were charged over the alleged incident including a 23-year-old man (pictured) whose identity was suppressed by the court

Seven men were charged over the alleged incident including a 23-year-old man (pictured) whose identity was suppressed by the court

Seven men were charged over the alleged incident including a 23-year-old man (pictured) whose identity was suppressed by the court

‘What has come about is that there has been independent material obtained and provided to various counsel – a video or sequence of videos that show a very, very different version of events,’ he told the court.

‘It’s a version that, in my submission, would provide a complete defence to any charges … the prosecution is aware of these videos.

‘From what we are aware of, (the videos) raise very serious questions about the allegations and the version of events that has led to these men and boys being in custody.’

The prosecutor opposed releasing the boy charged with two counts of sexual assault on bail, but admitted she had not yet examined the video because the clip ‘does not capture the entirety’ of the alleged incident.

Pictured is the stairwell where the alleged gang rape occurred

Pictured is the stairwell where the alleged gang rape occurred

Pictured is the stairwell where the alleged gang rape occurred 

Magistrate Oliver Koehn ruled to release the teen on $1000 bail (pictured, Hindley Street carpark)

Magistrate Oliver Koehn ruled to release the teen on $1000 bail (pictured, Hindley Street carpark)

Magistrate Oliver Koehn ruled to release the teen on $1000 bail (pictured, Hindley Street carpark)

Mr Laidlaw told the court that if the series of videos are ‘representative’ of the entirety of the incident, it provides ‘serious questions about consent’.

Magistrate Oliver Koehn ruled to release the teen on $1000 bail.

He will be subject to a 9pm to 7am curfew and be banned from contacting the alleged victims or his co-accused.

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