Rape charges against Geelong footballer Tanner Bruhn and his friend Patrick Sinnott have been dropped by prosecutors after a key witness admitted to lying, a court has been told. The charges were formally withdrawn at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
The pair were accused of sexually assaulting and raping a woman in the early hours of February 5, 2023. However, during a committal hearing last month, key witness Harrison Martin confessed he had lied to police and in the witness box. Martin admitted he had no memory of the night and had been instructed by the alleged victim on what to say.
Martin also gave evidence that the woman had once told him she lied about the alleged rape to police. The court heard that the woman may have agreed to be paid for sexual services but threatened to report the men if not paid more money.
Bruhn's barrister, Dermot Dann KC, described the case as a 'horrible stain on the criminal justice system' and said his client had been to 'hell and back' with his career on the line. He called for those who attacked Bruhn online to 'hang their heads in shame'.
Bruhn sat out the entire 2025 season with a reported finger injury. The Geelong Cats said the club had provided support and he would return for pre-season training.
