Alleged victim ‘shaking’

TWO sisters of a woman allegedly raped after a house party said she was “distraught, shaking, sobbing” less than an hour after the alleged attacked, the Southport District court was told.

Harley Gene Lewis has pleaded not guilty to one count each or rape and sexual assault.

It is alleged the attack occurred after a Triple J Hottest 100 party.

It is alleged Lewis picked the woman up, took her to a bedroom, tied her hands together and held a hand to her neck before performing oral sex about 4am on January 27 last year. He claims the sexual encounter was consensual.

Lewis is expected to give evidence today.

The woman’s sister told the jury of seven women and five men yesterday she was woken by her sister sobbing just minutes after the attack.

“She was petrified, distraught, shaking, sobbing. I can’t even describe the way that she cried … I’ve never heard crying like that before,” the woman’s sister said.

The sister told the court the woman told her what allegedly happened, including that Lewis had choked her by placing a hand over her neck.

“She said it was to the point she couldn’t breathe,” the sister said. “She said she thought she was going to die.”

The sister told the court the woman said she put on a brave face when Lewis was looking at her but when he was not she was holding back tears.

The second sister, who gave evidence via telephone, said she left her two sisters chatting to her husband and Lewis about midnight before going to bed.

The trial continues.