Mike Neville
THE jury in the sexual assault trial of Griffith councillor Mike Neville is expected to start deliberations by the end of this week after both sides gave their closing statements in Sydney District Court.
The former mayor has been on trial for 17 days on four counts of aggravated sexual assault and four counts of aggravated indecent assault of two women.
Neville's barrister Ray Hood yesterday completed his summations and Judge Laura Wells began issuing the jury with their directions.
During his closing statement, Mr Hood said the "hallmark" of the two victims was "total inconsistency, total unreliability and in the case of (the younger victim), areas that border simply on the fantastic".
Mr Hood pointed to the evidence the defence had produced that contradicted much of the younger victim's statements.
"He did not have to give evidence. He did not have to present documents. In reality ... when you go through the documents, all of those with numbers substantially assist this man, because substantially they contradict (the younger victim)," Mr Hood said.
"What I say is this: her sworn testimony, subject to cross-examination, is sufficient for you to understand that she is an unmitigated liar."
Crown prosecutor Adrian Robertson told the jury the defence had not disputed many of the circumstances surrounding the accusations and asked them to consider the "inherent improbability of (Neville's) version".
While Mr Robertson admitted to "serious issues of credibility" with both victims, he urged the jury to look at the elements of the case before them and also pointed to the video recording of Neville saying "sorry" to one of the victims.
On Day 13 of the trial, Neville told the court he only said sorry because he didn't understand what the woman was saying to him and said it was "part of my phraseology".
He admitted to taking the younger woman back to his home, but said it was "not physically possible" to watch her showering as she accused him and he would not want to touch either woman as he knew both had hepatitis C and there was a chance they could be HIV positive.