Where an accused relies on the defence of belief on reasonable grounds as to a complainant's age under s 47(2)(a) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), the jury is entitled to reach different conclusions on the 'reasonable grounds' limb for different complainants based on observable differences in appearance, maturity and demeanour, even where the offences occurred on the same occasion. The concept of 'indecent act' encompasses the instigation of an otherwise innocent physical act by an adult for sexual gratification, not merely the physical act itself.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 1 later case that cites this judgment.
1 of the 1 citing case carries a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.