‘Not a rapist’: Sydney criminal lawyer Steven Mercael cleared of sexual assault

A Sydney criminal lawyer who was charged by police with sexually assaulting a woman has been found not guilty by a jury.

A Sydney criminal lawyer who was charged by police with sexually assaulting a woman has been found not guilty by a jury.

Police had alleged in a fact sheet Steven Mercael hit the woman in the face before forcing her to perform oral sex on him against her will during a bender in Parramatta in December 2019.

Mercael, who always denied any wrongdoing, pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault and went on trial in the NSW District Court.

On Tuesday, a jury returned a not-guilty verdict to his charge after deliberating for four hours and five minutes.

He was also cleared of an alternative charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Steven Mercael at an earlier court appearance. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Barrister Margaret Cunneen argued to the jury that the woman had initiated the sexual encounter with Mercael.

Mercael’s defence barrister, Margaret Cunneen SC, told The Daily Telegraph outside court: “My client trusted in the justice system and a wise jury quickly saw the truth in this case.”

According to the police fact sheet, Mercael had allegedly drunk alcohol and taken cocaine with the woman before making sexual advances to her.

But inside court Ms Cunneen argued the woman had initiated the sexual encounter with Mercael.

She said Mercael had consumed drugs on the night but told the jury “this isn’t a court of morals”.

“Mr Steven Mercael is not a rapist,” Ms Cunneen said.

The lawyer had also argued that what the woman later told police about what happened was false and misleading.

Mercael had maintained the woman had performed oral sex consensually.

In April 2020 police executed a search warrant at Mercael’s home address and he was arrested in June of that year.

Mercael remained practising as a criminal lawyer as his own case progressed through the courts.

He has represented numerous high profile clients including gamer Luke Munday, who inadvertently video-streamed himself assaulting his partner while playing Fortnite in 2018.