An Order of Australia medallist has denied he intentionally removed a condom during sex with another man, saying the complainant is not a credible or reliable witness.
Sydney dermatologist Dr Liang Joo Leow, 46, went back to the man's Melbourne home in June 2017 after a night of dinner and drinking.
The pair began engaging in consensual sexual acts but the complainant told Leow to put a condom on before they continued any further.
Leow complied and the alleged victim kept checking whether the condom was on properly, but after sometime he noticed it had come off.
It's alleged when the complainant stopped Leow, the accused said he took off the condom because it felt better that way.
The pair did not engage in any further sexual acts but Leow stayed the night.
The next morning, the complainant recorded a conversation where it's alleged Leow apologised and said the man shouldn't be concerned about health risks.
The accused also allegedly told the man he should seek his own medical advice if was still worried about potential infections.
Leow denied making such concessions during the first day of his trial in the Victorian County Court.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and procuring sexual penetration by fraud.
His barrister Dermot Dann KC told the court the condom came off accidentally and at no point did Leow admit removing it.
The alleged victim was also not a credible, reliable or accurate witness so the jury should question his evidence, Mr Dann said.
But crown prosecutor Melissa Mahady told the jury the man immediately told his friend about the alleged rape.
He also attended an emergency department in the days after, where he obtained medication for potential exposure to sexually transmitted infections.
The man's friend and the nurses who treated him will be among the witnesses to give evidence during the trial before Judge Wendy Wilmoth.
Leow was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2020 for his service to medicine and the community.
