Lawyer ‘repeatedly crossed line’ in rape trial

One of the judge’s interventions came after Mr Alonzi asked Ms Wilson if she had heard of narcissistic personality disorder and whether she had it.

Ms Wilson replied that she did not.

The complaints committee found that asking questions without having seen a report or diagnosis by a properly qualified medical professional was “discourteous to the court and abused the privileged position” held by Mr Alonzi.

They also found that, during closing speeches, Mr Alonzi deliberately referred to matters that had been ruled inadmissible, despite knowing the trial judge would likely be forced to direct the jury to disregard them.

After McFarlane had been found guilty of rape, Mr Alonzi told the court his client “fell in love with the wrong person”, that he didn’t belong in court and that it was “difficult not to imagine some sense of injustice in it all”.

The complaints committee said the remarks were inappropriate and should not have been made.

They said it implied that the jury made an error and convicted an innocent man.