Fernando Octavio Salas Collard: Man goes on trial accused of raping teen in Coogee Beach toilet cubicle

A man charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in the men’s toilets at Coogee Beach allegedly led her in there wordlessly and put his hand over her mouth when her friend called out. Fernando Octavio Salas Collard went on trial in the District Court of WA on Tuesday, accused of committing the brazen sexual assault on the afternoon of January 12 last year. In the teenager’s police interview, video of which was shown to the jury, she described how she and her friend struck up a conversation with the 34-year-old and his mate after climbing onto the jetty during a swim. She said she was waiting for her friend outside the female toilet a short time later when Mr Salas Collard looked at her and made a “head flick” gesture towards the men’s. “He wasn’t aggressive or anything, just kind of grabbed my hand and led me into the bathroom,” the alleged victim told police. She said he took her into a cubicle “and pretty much raped me”. “I kind of went into shock,” the girl said. She said the first time her friend called out for her, the accused clamped his hand over her mouth. The second time, he “put his tongue down my throat”. After, she walked out of the toilets, then broke into a run and began crying, the teen said. She swiftly called her mother and her parents took her straight to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where she was examined. Prosecutor Jackie Stewart said the girl had a blood alcohol reading of 0.128 but it was the State’s case that she was capable of giving consent. Ms Stewart said Mr Salas Collard was recorded when remanded in custody, claiming to his girlfriend that the alleged victim had initiated the sex after following him into the toilet cubicle. He also claimed the girl had described him as being “hot like her cousin” and looking aged 19 or 20. Defence counsel Tom Percy said his client believed he had “fully consenting” sex with the teen, who had made “lewd” comments indicating she was interested. “Any suggestion that he dragged her or led her into the men’s toilet is completely refuted,” Mr Percy said. While his client cheated on his partner, this was not a trial about morals, the lawyer said. “It was a bit quick, it was a bit rough and ready but it was entirely consensual,” Mr Percy said. “It might not be everybody’s cup of tea to have sex in a place like that. “But in life, these things happen.” Mr Percy suggested the girl had second thoughts after the encounter. The trial continues. Sexual Assault Resource Centre 1800 199 888 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800