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Follow up...

FORMER Baird Government staffer Kurt Graham experienced every tourist’s “nightmare” after he was falsely accused of sexual assault and thrown into a Dallas County jail cell.

The 24-year-old — a former adviser to Minister for Women Pru Goward — had been travelling with a mate across the US when their holiday bliss was shattered.

Shortly before returning to Sydney in July, the communications specialist partied with two women at the Trophy Room Bar, a popular nightspot in Dallas.

After dancing together at the bar, Mr Graham and the two room-mates travelled in a Lyft ride-sharing taxi to their home.

In the hours after arriving, one of the women claimed Mr Graham had made unwanted advances towards her at the bar, forced his way into the Lyft car and later became aggressive and sexually assaulted her at the house.

Dallas criminal defence attorney Lynn Johnson told The Saturday Telegraph witness accounts did not corroborate with claims made by the alleged victim.

After spending five days in a prison cell, Ms Johnson secured Mr Graham bail at $US25,000, which his family helped raise.

The former University of Sydney student had his passport returned, allowing him to return to Australia.

Dallas police dropped the charges before a grand jury was appointed, clearing Mr Graham of all offences.

Mr Graham, who worked on Premier Mike Baird’s election campaign, said his reputation was smeared for a “horrendous” crime he didn’t commit.

“I had my character assassinated, it was just horrible, the stuff of nightmares,” Mr Graham said.

“I knew I was innocent from day one. I’m just relieved that Dallas police have done the right thing and dropped these charges.”

Mr Graham said most Australian tourists would be ignorant to the US justice system “maze”, and warned people to be careful.

The sexual assault charges carried a maximum penalty of 25-years in prison.

“This could happen to anyone, you’ve just got to be so aware,” he said.

Mr Graham, who was supported by family and friends during his ordeal, said the experience had taken an “emotional and financial” toll.

“No parent wants to see their child on the other side of the world thrown into jail for something I was innocent of. It was so much harder that it happened on the other side of the world.”

While in jail, he was cut-off from family and friends, unable to contact Australia.

“There were a few days there where I felt completely stranded, I had no way of contacting the outside world.”

In April, the former University of Sydney student was recruited by strategic communications firm Kreab as an executive associate.

Mr Graham said he would now take time to evaluate his next step in the new year.

“I’ve got to take a bit of time to rebuild my reputation and rebuild those relationships before this happened.”

Mr Graham was officially cleared by Dallas police of all sexual assault charges on November 28.... Article found in the Australian Daily Telegraph

Typical Dallas Police and Railroad Company practices...