Willcocks v The Queen

In *Willcocks v The Queen*, the applicant, who had been found guilty by a jury of sexual intercourse without consent contrary to s 192(3) of the *Criminal Code 1983* (NT), sought an extension of time to appeal his conviction. The appeal was heard by Grant CJ, Kelly and Blokland JJ.

The legal issues before the Court of Criminal Appeal were whether the jury's verdict was unreasonable and unsupported by the evidence, and whether the trial judge erred by failing to direct the jury on the issue of a mistaken belief.

The Court dismissed the ground of appeal concerning the unreasonableness of the verdict. It found that the evidence identified by the applicant did not establish that a jury, acting rationally, ought to have entertained a reasonable doubt as to the applicant's guilt. The Court noted that while the complainant had engaged in provocative behaviour and consumed alcohol, her evidence indicated she had explicitly warned the guests against touching her genitalia and moving onto the performance rug. The Court did not address the second ground of appeal in the provided text.