By Angus Thompson
A former sexual partner of a man accused of sexually assaulting a model claims he was a gentleman who was “submissive” in bed.
Student Li Gao gave evidence in the NSW District Court trial of Longwei Xu, who is accused of digitally raping and assaulting a young woman after telling her he would take her home from an exclusive dinner party.
Longwei Xu leaves court during his trial.Credit: Christopher Pearce
“He pays for everything, he pays for the girl, he opens the car door for the girl, holds the elevator door for the girl. I think he sees himself as a gentleman,” Ms Gao said.
The jury heard the alleged victim and Mr Xu were introduced through a mutual friend named Coco, who she’d met while working on a boat party as a bikini model.
Mr Xu and the woman both attended the December 26, 2015, party, which was hosted by a wealthy Chinese businessman whose name has been suppressed by the court.
The Crown alleges the woman became very drunk after being encouraged to drink alcohol by male guests at the dinner party before Mr Xu took her back to his room at the Shangri La hotel.
It’s alleged that Mr Xu pinned the woman to the bed and tried to have sex with her during an hour-long ordeal.
Mr Xu denies the allegations.
On Tuesday, Ms Gao told the jury she met Mr Xu at a mutual friend’s birthday party, after which they had gone back to her house and she had refused his advances.
“As soon as I said ‘no,’ he leaves,” Ms Gao said under examination.
She said the pair then began a sexual relationship some time after.
“He’s more soft, more gentle. He’s more submissive,” Ms Gao said.
“I would say I’m more dominant.
“What he’s searching for is internal affection from a girl. It’s not a physical obsession. That would totally turn him off.”
Ms Gao, who was called to give evidence by Mr Xu's defence team, was the last witness in the trial before both parties began their closing submissions.
Mr Xu faces seven charges, including sexual intercourse without consent, and knowing the woman wasn't consenting; indecent assault; and assault over allegations he slapped the woman on the face.
The jury previously saw a police interview in which Mr Xu denied sexually assaulting her and suggested that she had reported the matter to try and get money out of him.
Judge Nicole Noman is expected to address the members of the jury on Wednesday before they retire to consider a verdict.