Sushi chef Daigo Kani denies raping woman he met at restaurant in her sleep

The chef of a popular Aussie restaurant is accused of raping a woman he met at his workplace while she slept — but he’s maintained his innocence in court.

WARNING: Graphic content

A chef at a popular Japanese restaurant allegedly raped a woman as she slept and sexually touched her without her consent three other times.

Daigo Kani, 48, was stone-faced as he vowed to fight four serious charges at his first day of trial at Penrith District Court on Monday.

During opening remarks, crown prosecutor Nicholas Marney outlined the evidence the jury was expected to hear in the two-week trial.

The court heard Kani met his alleged victim at a sushi restaurant Kani worked at in September 2020.

Kani allegedly raped a woman while she was sleeping. Pictures: Instagram

On May 25, 2021, it is alleged there was an argument between Kani, his accuser and another woman inside his Bondi Beach home which became physical.

About a month later, Kani is accused of going to the alleged victim’s house to discuss their previous fight.

The pair talked things over at a Thai restaurant before going back to the woman’s home, the court heard.

Mr Marney told the jury they will hear evidence Kani tried to kiss the woman, but she pulled away and said words to the effect of “no, I don’t want to”.

“The accused asked the complainant if she’d have sex with him. She made it clear she did not want to,” Mr Marney told the court.

The court heard Kani has no criminal record. Picture: Facebook

The jury heard the woman went to bed and Kani followed her, asking if he could masturbate next to her, which she agreed to.

He then allegedly asked if she could touch his penis, which she declined, and began to fall asleep as he continued masturbating.

Mr Marney said the jury will hear evidence the woman woke to find Kani had pushed her pyjamas aside and was having sexual intercourse with her.

She pushed him away, the court heard, while saying: “I told you not to”.

The court heard he responded that he “didn’t know” and then left her house.

The jury was told Kani also touched her breasts, tried to put his hands down her pants and rubbed his erect penis on her — all without her consent — between September and October.

The court heard the woman reported the alleged offences to police in December.

Kani’s defence barrister told the jury they will be convinced he is not guilty by the end of the trial. Picture: Instagram

In order to find Kani guilty, the jury was told they must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt the acts took place and that Kani knew the alleged victim did not consent, was reckless to her consent or had no reasonable grounds to believe she consented.

In defence barrister Sheridan Goodwin’s opening remarks, the jury heard there are two sides to every story.

“You know the accused denies the offences — you heard him plead not guilty,” Ms Goodwin said.

“In terms of determining whether he’s guilty or not, can I suggest you pay particular attention to some issues in this case, and realistically they will concern the reliability of the complainant and her evidence”.

Ms Goodwin told the jury to pay attention to whether the accuser is honest and accurate.

“Do you think she has an axe to grind or motive to lie about something,” she asked.

“Do you think even if she is honest, for whatever reason, she might not be accurate”.

The court heard Kani has no criminal convictions and is of “prior good character”.

Kani pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent and three counts of sexual touching without consent in February.

The trial continues before Judge Michael Allen.

Originally published as Sushi chef Daigo Kani denies raping woman he met at restaurant in her sleep