Rape charge dropped against composer Sean O’Boyle

A rape charge against world-famous composer and Order of Australia recipient Sean O’Boyle has been withdrawn.

A rape charge against composer Sean O'Boyle has been dropped. Picture: John Gass

A rape charge has been dropped against world-famous composer and Order of Australia recipient Sean O’Boyle.

The Herald Sun in June revealed Mr O’Boyle, 59, had been charged over the alleged rape of a woman in Melbourne in August 2020.

But at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, prosecutors withdrew the charge.

No reason was given for the decision and Mr O’Boyle, from Brisbane, did not attend the hearing.

Defence lawyer Emma Gray said an application for legal costs would follow, with a hearing to take place in December to determine the amount.

Sean O’Boyle. Picture: Facebook

The charge sheet states that in August 2020 Mr O’Boyle raped the complainant “by intentionally sexually penetrating without her consent in circumstances where the accused did not reasonably believe (she) consented to the penetration”.

The composer is an ARIA award winner with an impressive local and international career in the US and UK.

He has written and produced more than 150 recordings with artists including Kate Ceberano, James Morrison and David Campbell.

His achievements include working as a composer for Symphony Australia, Orchestra Victoria, the Queensland Ballet and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

In 2015, he became a Member of the Order of Australia for “significant service to music as a composer, conductor, musician, performer and musical director”.