A-League soccer player Angel Torres has testified in court regarding allegations of rape made against him after he took a young woman home from a nightclub. The Central Coast Mariners striker, appearing before a jury at Gosford District Court, firmly denied the accusations, explaining that when the woman expressed her desire to leave instead of engaging in sexual activity, he inquired if he had done anything wrong.
Through a Spanish interpreter, Torres shared his background as a professional soccer player, having previously played in Portugal and Malta before joining the Mariners in 2023. He recounted a night out at Sirens nightclub in Terrigal, where he encountered the 22-year-old woman and they communicated with the help of Google Translate.
Torres stated that their interaction included dancing and kissing, with the woman complimenting him on his appearance. He later took her to his home, but he asserted he did not assault her. The prosecution alleges that during their time in his bedroom, Torres attempted to restrict her freedom by wrapping her belt around her neck and continued to engage in inappropriate behaviour despite her protests.
Contradicting these claims, Torres denied taking any such actions, insisting no violence occurred and describing the encounter as consensual. He claimed the woman demanded to leave and repeatedly expressed her wish to go home as they were dressing. Torres stated he asked her if something was wrong as she prepared to leave.
The Crown’s prosecutor accused Torres of intimidation and assault, asserting that he mocked the woman when she was distressed and attempted to prevent her from leaving. According to the allegations, as she sought help outside, he followed her and restrained her, stating she was jeopardising his football career.
In response to these claims, Torres maintained that he followed the woman out of concern for her safety late at night, emphasising that it is dangerous to be outside at such hours in his home country. He expressed confusion about her distress, asserting he had not harmed her.
Along with the charges of aggravated sexual assault, Torres has pleaded not guilty to alternative counts involving non-consensual intercourse, intimidation, and assault. The trial continues under the oversight of Judge Tanya Bright, with the courtroom proceedings focusing on the conflicting accounts of the incident.