Angus Ross Robertson was found guilty in an ACT Supreme Court jury trial earlier this year. Photo: Albert McKnight.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to sexual assault.
A man sexually assaulted a fellow cadet at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) before she claims she was bullied and “slut-shamed” at the campus by the rapist’s supporters.
When sentencing 24-year-old Angus Ross Robertson for the assault on Thursday (17 July), Justice David Mossop expressed concerns about the environment at the academy.
“The institutional environment at ADFA – which puts young males and females, inexperienced with adult life, together in a military, academic, residential and social context involving a significant degree of competition and the hierarchical systems of authority inherent in a defence force – is one in which sexual offending by men upon women is an obvious risk,” he said.
He said the victim described grappling with the consequences of a sexual assault within ADFA in a statement she wrote for the ACT Supreme Court.
The woman claimed after reporting the assault she was ostracised, bullied and “slut-shamed”, particularly by members of the academy’s rugby club – which her abuser was part of – and his social circle.
At the end of a jury trial earlier this year, Robertson was found guilty of two counts each of sexual intercourse without consent and committing an act of indecency without consent.
He was sentenced to 22 months’ jail, to be suspended after he spends nine months behind bars.
It is the second time this week a man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman at ADFA, as 25-year-old Jake Sullivan has already been handed 15-months behind bars for his crimes.
Justice Mossop said Robertson and his victim previously had consensual sex before they ran into each other again at ADFA on a night in October 2022.
Robertson, who had been out drinking alcohol with his rugby friends, suggested they go back to her room on the campus and she agreed, but told him she only wanted to kiss.
“I don’t want to do anything,” she also told him.
However, he indecently touched her body, digitally raped her and had intercourse with her without her consent.
Angus Ross Robertson has been jailed for nine months. Photo: Albert McKnight.
Robertson kept pressuring the woman to have sex with him, even though she told him she didn’t want to.
“You know you want to have sex with me. Let me show you how good I can f-k you,” Robertson told her.
The woman eventually capitulated by saying, “Yeah, sure”, without enthusiasm, but didn’t engage, told him, “I don’t want this”, then had to push him off her to make him stop.
“Why are you being so uptight?” he said. He told her not to tell anyone what happened before leaving.
Justice Mossop said the offences reflected pushy behaviour with a sense of entitlement.
During sentencing submissions, defence barrister Sharyn Hall SC asked for her client to be handed an intensive corrections order, which is a type of community-based sentence, while prosecutor Marcus Dyason wanted a sentence that included a component of full-time custody.
Justice Mossop said Robertson joined the army and had success at ADFA, becoming a divisional cadet captain and captain of its rugby club. One of his character references said he was “made for the job”.
But he was suspended from ADFA before ceasing his military service earlier this week. He has been running his own business helping older people with their gardens and technology issues.
Justice Mossop said Robertson didn’t accept responsibility for his crimes, but his risk of reoffending was low.
Robertson claimed the sexual acts were entirely consensual, but the judge said the jury’s verdicts meant they accepted the evidence from the woman that the acts were not consensual.
The incident has had a profound and enduring impact on her life, Justice Mossop said.
The court heard the woman has continued her career in the military and now has a leadership position.
Robertson will be released from jail in April 2026 if he enters into a three-year good behaviour order, which includes him remaining on probation for 12 months.
When contacted regarding the case, a Defence spokesperson said there was no place for sexual violence in Defence and perpetrators convicted of sexual violence can expect to be discharged from the ADF.
“As a result of the court outcome in this matter, the offender’s service in the Australian Defence Force was terminated,” they said.
“Defence is currently providing counselling support and pastoral care services to the members impacted.”
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
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