Christopher Kay: Former private schoolboy accused of raping, choking woman hires high-profile barrister for trial

A former private schoolboy who allegedly raped, choked, assaulted and intimidated a woman will be defended by a high-profile barrister at a trial.

Christopher Kay outside Downing Centre Local Court in June.

A young, former private schoolboy accused of raping, choking, assaulting, and intimidating a woman while also allegedly breaking her phone and necklace has hired one of Sydney’s top barristers to defend him at a trial next year.

Christopher Kay was supported by his parents at Sydney District Court last week where he formally entered not guilty pleas to 19 charges, including two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, one count of sexually touching another person without consent, three counts of reckless intentional choking, and three counts of intentional choking without consent.

The 20-year-old Chatswood man has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of damaging property, two counts of intimidation, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and four counts of common assault.

The crown prosecutor told the court Kay’s trial would take approximately three weeks with his lawyer Christopher Cole saying high-profile barrister Margaret Cunneen SC had been briefed in the matter and was available in September next year.

Ms Cunneen SC, once a deputy senior crown prosecutor, last year defended Kurtley Beale who was acquitted of sexually assaulting a woman in the bathroom of a Bondi pub in December, 2022.

However, Judge Christopher O’Brien replied saying the date was “too far away” and March was the preferred time for the trial.

Judge O’Brien ultimately adjourned the matter until Friday for Mr Cole to have “proper inquires with counsel” to determine when to fix his client’s trial date next year.

Court documents state Kay allegedly assaulted the woman multiple times and twice occasioned actual bodily harm to her.

Downing Centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Kay is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the woman “without her consent and knowing” she had not consented on two occasions.

He is also accused of intentionally sexually touching her without her consent.

Court documents indicate Kay allegedly intentionally choked the woman “being reckless as to rendering” her incapable or resistance on three occasions.

As an alternative to the three reckless choking charges, the prosecution has also put forward three intentional choking without consent charges.

Kay also allegedly “intentionally or recklessly” damaged the woman’s phone and necklace.

He was apprehended last year before being bailed on the same day at Hornsby Local Court.

As part of Kay’s bail conditions, a $20,000 surety was deposited by one acceptable person.

He must report every Monday to Chatswood police station between 6am and 8pm and he was required to surrender his passport before his release into the community, while adhering to not entering any international airport or other point of departure from Australia.

According to his LinkedIn, Kay attended St Aloysius’ College in Milsons Point from 2016 until 2021 and was part of the school’s HSC Distinguished Achievers List.

It also indicates he is studying at the University of Technology Sydney.