https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-26/act-jury-unable-verdict-teen-girl-sexual-assault-stalking-ex/105821172

By Elizabeth Byrne

Topic:Courts22h ago22 hours ago

In short:

The trial of a teenager accused of sexually assaulting and stalking her former boyfriend has ended with no result, after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

The case against the girl, who was 14 at the time, relied on evidence from many of the pair's friends, and numerous messages sent mostly on Snapchat.

What's next

Without a verdict, the girl's case will return to court in a month.

Link copiedShare article

The jury in the ACT Supreme Court trial of a teenage girl charged with sexually assaulting and stalking her former boyfriend has been unable to reach a verdict.

Warning: This story discusses suicide and domestic violence.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• Headspace on 1800 650 890
• ReachOut at au.reachout.com
• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
• SANE on 1800 187 263

The girl faced five charges, which included assault and encouraging the boy to take his own life.

The alleged comment came in an angry text exchange as they were breaking up.

The girl was 14 at the time and the boy 15.

The charges arose after the boy was hospitalised.

He gradually revealed his allegations, eventually making a complaint to police.

The evidence included an alleged assault when the pair was watching The Wizard of Oz, when out of the blue, the girl allegedly punched the boy hard in the face.

The court also heard allegations of a sexual assault, which allegedly occurred when the boy said he had been sleeping and was unable to give consent.

The court was also shown streams of text messages, mostly on Snapchat, and sometimes including communications with other people.

Family and domestic violence support services:

• The Survivor Hub
• Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578
• 1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
• DV Connect Women's Line: 1800 811 811
• 13 YARN 13 92 76
• MensLine: 1300 789 978
• Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 13 11 14

'The Netflix trial'

Lawyers in the case dubbed it "the Netflix trial" because many of the teenage witnesses took the option of having their evidence pre-recorded.

Under the law, victims and other vulnerable people can choose to record their main evidence and to give evidence by video link, outside the courtroom.

The option is also available to children and young people.

Chief Justice Lucy McCallum noted the long hours the jury spent listening to the witnesses on video, and that it might not be to anyone's benefit.

But recordings have the advantage that witnesses do not have to give the evidence twice in the event of a retrial.

Jury tensions

The case was marked by an unusually large number of notes from the jury, many with several questions at a time, seeking clarification on the charges and their responsibilities.

On Wednesday, it became evident from a jury note that there were tensions in the jury room and the jury was sent home for a day of rest on Thursday.

The girl's lawyers suggested several times the jury should be discharged, raising concerns about what was going on in the jury room.

Today, after deliberating for several more hours, no verdict could be reached and the 12-member panel was released.

Without a verdict, the case will return to court in a month.