Nicholas James Villanueva pleads not guilty to rape, choking charges

A former police officer is set to stand trial to defend several charges, including allegations he raped, choked and secretly filmed a woman.

Nicholas James Villanueva leaves Penrith District Court.

A former police officer accused of secretly filming a woman during sex will stand trial to fight several charges, including allegations he also raped and choked her.

Nicholas James Villanueva, 30, of Jordan Springs, was arraigned on Friday in Penrith District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts each of sexual intercourse without consent and stalking/intimidation.
He also denied single charges of intentionally choking a person without consent, intentionally recording an intimate image without consent and threatening to distribute an intimate image without consent.

According to court documents, much of the alleged offending occurred at Villanueva’s home between July and August 2023, against a woman he met online.

Nicholas James Villanueva leaves Penrith District Dourt.

It will be alleged that Villanueva began anal sex with the woman on two occasions, despite her previously expressing it was something she did not want to do.

On one occasion, in July 2023, Villanueva allegedly recorded the woman during consensual sex without her consent.

Three months later, he allegedly threatened to send the video to her family and friends.

He was arrested and charged the next day.

Villanueva is also accused of stalking and intimidating the woman on three separate occasions in August, September and October 2023.

It is understood Villanueva had already left the NSW Police Force when he was charged.

He will remain on bail until his matters return to court on February 7, 2025, for a readiness hearing.