There are significant differences to consider as well, however.

Wheras Polanski pleaded guilty to the charge against him before fleeing America, Green did not.

Wheras the offence with which Polanski was charged is a statutory one – sex with an underaged girl – Green’s is not.

And, most importantly, Green has strongly contested the substance of the charges against him.

Green was extradited to the US in secret last week and appeared in an American court yesterday.

He is facing rape charges dating back three years.

It is intriguing to note that although Green was charged with rape in the first degree – and faces between five and 25 years in jail if convicted – the American authorities did not initially appear to consider the matter to be extremely serious. Why else would bail have been set at only $US7500? And why was bail granted at all?

It is also apparent there is more than meets the eye to the events of that night in August 2005.

Green’s defence team has admitted Green had sexual intercourse with the alleged victim, but claims it can be proved that it was consensual.

Green’s lawyer has told the media he has the testimony of four witnesses – who were presumably in the room – and “explicit” photographs to back up this claim.

This, if it is correct, begs the question of what was going on at the time.

It is generally unusual for rapes to be carried out in front of witnesses and on camera.

Have the other people in the room been charged with the same crime?

Green, in our view, made a serious error of judgment in fleeing the American jurisdiction in 2005.

He would have been much better advised to have stayed and defended his case.

But then again, so would Polanski.