Naval officer says sex on ship 'consensual'

The Navy officer accused of sexually violating a junior has told a jury the interaction was consensual.

Scott Christopher Devonport Ward is on trial at the Auckland District Court on a charge sexual violation by way of unlawful sexual connection with a junior naval officer in October 2011.

The woman, who has automatic name suppression, alleges Ward came into her cabin uninvited and forced his way into her bed.

The name of the ships involved are suppressed, as well as aspects of the ranks of those involved, details of Navy business and details about the witnesses.

The woman says Ward pinned her down, groped her breasts and digitally penetrated her against her will, only stopping when another person entered the cabin.

Ward's lawyer Anthony Rogers, questioned him today on the fifth day of the trial.

Ward said he married his long-time girlfriend last year. He is no longer in the Navy, but remains a member of its Volunteer Reserve unit.

A witness yesterday recalled Ward being in a female-only cabin the night before the alleged attack, but Ward said he did not recall doing so.

He does not remember many details from the night of the alleged attack, but said he had been drinking at a friend's house before.

He consumed beer and spirits, and also had a meal.

When asked how affected by alcohol he was, he said: ``I could walk and talk, I had my wits about me.''

He said he knew he was breaking the Navy's fraternisation rules by going into the woman's cabin.

Their interaction was consensual, he said.

Ward said he did not digitally penetrate the woman, and denies her allegations that she struggled against him or that he held her back.

``There is no way I would have gone as far as I did had I known she was non-consenting.''

Ward said the next memory he had of their encounter was another man entering the cabin and saying, ``Yeah, Wardo. Get into it.''

He said he then remembered the other man sitting on a couch in the room and the woman having sex with him.The other man told the jury this week he had sexual intercourse with the woman.

Ward said the other man said, ``Let's do it family styles''.

``I took that to mean a threesome. I said, `No'. I remember thinking, `This is wrong,' and, `I'm out'. I got up and I left the room.''

In his opening address this morning, Rogers told the jury that his client did not need to take the stand.

``He doesn't have to do that. He wants you to hear his side of the story. We know from our experience of life that there is always two sides to every story.

``I'm asking you to keep an open mind until the end of the trial.''

Rogers told the jury they would also hear from other Navy officers and witnesses who would corroborate Ward's version of events, and who would express differing points of view to the complainant.

The trial continues.

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