Shenanigans: cop explains 'joke' behind sex video

Constable Alexander James Cox (centre) admitted showing pornographic videos to colleagues. (Duncan Murray/AAP PHOTOS)

Video allegedly shared by a NSW police officer of him having sex with a former girlfriend was actually taken from the internet and did not depict the pair, a court has been told.

Constable Alexander James Cox, 30, admitted showing pornographic videos of "doggy-style" sex to colleagues on two occasions, including to senior officers during a social getaway.

Cox said he claimed at the time the video was of himself for a joke and "just a bit of shenanigans", remembering the other officers laughing as he showed it to them.

"I just joked around and said it was myself," he told Sutherland Local Court.

"Everyone was just laughing, drinking. It was just a video from the internet."

Defence lawyer Paul McGirr (file image)
Defence lawyer Paul McGirr said the case against Cox was "extremely weak".

Several of the officers involved told the court they had taken Cox at his word that he was the one in the video and did not recall it being received as a joke.

Cox is facing one count of recording intimate images without consent and one count of distributing intimate images without consent, allegations he denies.

The charges do not relate to the video shown to senior officers but rather to footage allegedly depicting himself and a woman with whom he had a brief sexual relationship.

Cox is accused of showing that footage to two fellow police officers, Zachary Barrett and Sam Kirk.

Constable Barrett previously told the court Cox had shown them a short video during a workout session of a man and a woman having sex.

The woman was wearing a collar and lead, and Cox allegedly said it was him and his ex-girlfriend.

Cox's lawyer Paul McGirr said neither of the men could recall seeing the woman's "distinctive tattoos", which meant in all likelihood the video was not of her.

"This is an extremely weak case," he said.

"If it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable. The only thing it falls on is the stupidity of Mr Cox."

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, earlier told the court she owned a collar and lead, and might have brought them to Cox's Engadine unit on one or more occasions to use during sex.

Cox claimed the couple had never used the collar and lead during intercourse, and that the woman might have mistaken them for a set of "silk ties" he bought that were merchandise from the movie 50 Shades of Grey.

An additional charge of distributing intimate images without consent against Cox was dropped by prosecutors after a key witness said an image she had allegedly been shown by him did not in fact contain a sexual act.

The detective in charge of the investigation, Sergeant Jason Savic, admitted potential "oversights", including failing to examine the complainant's phone or asking her to produce the collar and lead.

He said there were about 10 explicit videos saved on Cox's phone when it was seized by police, but none matched those detailed in the criminal complaints.

Magistrate Holly Kemp is due to deliver her decision on Thursday.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store