Former Soldier Makes Legal History with Fraudulent Inducement Conviction
A 38-year-old ex-soldier, identified only as Dixon, has been sentenced to prison for rape after deceiving a sex worker with a fabricated $700 bank transfer. This landmark case in New South Wales represents the first successful prosecution under the state's tightened consent legislation, introduced in 2022.
The Deception and Its Aftermath
The incident occurred on August 9, 2023, when Dixon presented a counterfeit bank transfer receipt to secure the woman's services. Having had two previous, paid encounters with the sex worker in July, Dixon on this occasion paid only a $100 deposit before producing the fake proof of payment for the remaining $700.
Believing the transaction was genuine, the woman proceeded to Dixon's home. It was only after he dropped her off that she discovered the payment was never made. She immediately attempted to contact him, sending texts that night and the following day, and eventually calling from various numbers on August 11.
Dixon answered one call but hung up upon recognising her voice. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, who issued a warrant for his arrest.
A Precedent-Setting Case and Its Consequences
In Sydney's District Court, both prosecution and defence lawyers acknowledged there was no precedent for this specific crime. Dixon pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual intercourse without consent, with the court ruling the fake payment constituted a 'fraudulent inducement' under the new laws.
Judge Jonathon Priestley SC emphasised the need for public awareness, stating, 'There is a need for general deterrence... the general public, and perhaps more particularly, likely clientele of sex workers, suffer from a misunderstanding that to simply not pay the agreed fee is wrong not only in the commercial sense but also is a serious criminal offence.'
The court heard the victim suffered significant and ongoing psychological harm, requiring more than 500 hours of counselling to manage anxiety, stress, and fear of future consent violations.
Dixon received a 16-month prison sentence and has already been released on parole after serving the minimum 144 days while awaiting trial.
