By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN testified yesterday that a once trusted family friend forced his genitals into her mouth while she was blindfolded and practising for an eating competition.

The now 24-year-old complainant, whose name is being withheld to protect her identity, gave evidence in the rape trial of Gary Talbot Cooper, 59, before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick. Prosecutors allege Cooper orally raped her when she was 21 on January 14, 2023.

The complainant said Cooper picked her up from Contour Me Body Studio on East Street South in his black Nissan Note, telling her they would practise for an eating competition he had previously mentioned. She said she agreed to go to his house because she trusted him, describing him as a family friend who was her sister’s godfather. Before the incident, she said they had a close relationship and were like father and daughter.

After they brought groceries into the house, she said Cooper told her to sit in a brown chair while he warmed up the food. She testified that he placed the food on a table, blindfolded her with a black cloth, and fed her various items — fruits, macaroni and whipped cream among them — five in total. She said Cooper praised her when she correctly identified what she was eating.

She told the court that one item felt strange, and when she questioned him, he assured her it was a hot dog. She said he kept putting it in her mouth.

She testified that after he removed the hot dog, Cooper placed his penis in her mouth. She described it as soft and said it smelt of foreskin. She said Cooper told her to “suck and pull.”

At that point, she pulled off the blindfold and claimed Cooper hurried to put his penis back in his pants. She said she asked him why he had done it and why he felt that way about her. Although angry, she said she tried to remain calm because she was in his home.

She said Cooper denied putting his genitals in her mouth and told her he had only masturbated while feeding her. She testified that on the drive back to the studio, he again denied the assault but admitted to having feelings for her. She said he told her not to tell anyone because it would ruin his life.

The complainant said she recorded a conversation between them as she questioned him. In that recording, played in court, a male voice is heard begging a woman, saying he would do anything she asks, asking for forgiveness, and saying he would never do it again. A male voice is also heard saying, “please don’t destroy me,” and later a female voice says, “Gary go in your car.” She identified both voices as hers and Cooper’s.

She said Cooper cried during the recorded exchange and begged her not to report him. She said she called her mentor, Ms Hanna, who picked her up. After telling Ms Hanna what happened, she agreed to inform her mother and the police.

She said she gave a statement at the Central Detective Unit and handed over the recordings. She later went to Princess Margaret Hospital, where her mouth was swabbed and she was placed on an IV drip.

During a police station confrontation, she said Cooper refused to look her in the eyes, treating her as if she was a stranger.

She told prosecutor Terry Archer she did not give Cooper permission to put his penis in her mouth and identified him in court as her assailant.

Under cross-examination, defence attorney Wilber Deleveaux suggested she was giving only half the story. She denied this. He suggested it was Cooper’s birthday that day. He also suggested she told Ms Hanna a different set of food items to make her story more believable, which she denied.

The complainant said that when she removed the blindfold she only saw Cooper holding a hot dog because he had already put his penis back in his pants. She said she knew the object earlier was a penis because of the smell.

She agreed that Cooper offered her a vehicle in the audio recording, but denied threatening to report rape unless he provided one. She also denied approaching him at a mall seeking a vehicle in exchange for dropping charges, saying she had not seen him in two years. She denied making up the allegations to extort him.

She confirmed Cooper had given her rides in the past. She also agreed she told police that Cooper allegedly told her not to bite in addition to “suck and pull.”

She told the defence she no longer has the iPhone she used to record the audio. She said her statement to police reflected exactly what she told them and that she signed it.

When questioned by the jury, she said she did not leave the house immediately after the assault because she needed evidence. She said without the recording it would’ve been his word against hers. She also said she had not told her family beforehand that she was going to practise for an eating competition.

Throughout her testimony, the complainant remained calm and composed.

In addition to Mr Archer, Jacklyn Conyers also served as a prosecutor.