Troy Mercanti: Police drop rape charges against infamous bikie in shock move

Police have sensationally dropped rape charges against career bikie Troy Mercanti.

The senior Mongol had been charged with sexual penetration and aggravated sexual penetration without consent as well as common assault.

All charges were dropped on Thursday and Mr Mercanti was awarded $1502 in costs.

It is believed the police case unravelled when the alleged victim became reluctant to continue.

“The prosecution of a 56-year-old man, which was in relation to an alleged incident in Karrinyup on Thursday, May 2, was discontinued after consultation with the complainant, who has decided not to pursue the matter further,” a police spokesperson said.

“WA Police respects the decision of the complainant, and will reassess this matter should the complainant choose to pursue the complaint in the future.”

Mr Mercanti was arrested after a dramatic raid at his mother’s Karrinyup home last Thursday, a day after he, John Kizon, the complainant and another woman met at Metro City nightclub in Northbridge.

Mr Mercanti and the alleged victim were driven back to the house by Mr Kizon, who then left.

Perth Magistrates Court was told this week that the woman admitted snorting three lines of cocaine and drinking alcohol, and was sitting on a bed in a granny flat at the home wearing one of Mercanti’s shirts when he attacked her.

She claims she cried out “What are you doing? Stop, stop, stop”, and was left with injuries.

It is alleged Mr Mercanti then “backhanded” the woman, causing her to go into shock.

Mr Mercanti’s lawyer Paul Holmes had said his client “strenuously” denied the allegations.

“We say it’s a weak prosecution case,” Mr Holmes said on Tuesday as his client watched on via videolink from Hakea Prison after spending the weekend behind bars.

In opposing bail, police pointed to various messages the complainant had received on social media from bikies that had left her fearing for her and her mother’s safety.

Police prosecutor Chris Evans told the court she had said: “This is going to be the end of me. I’m going to be killed.”

He argued that Mr Mercanti had extensive links in outlaw motorcycle gangs that could “influence witnesses on his behalf” and the out-of-the-blue social media messages were clear threats.

One said ‘hello’ and another said ‘What’s your current location?’, but the timing of the messages, after she made the complaint, was no coincidence, Sgt Evans said.

In successfully arguing for bail, Mr Holmes urged Magistrate Andrew Matthews not to read much into the messages and “some emojis”, saying police were “asking your honour to make enormous leaps”.

Police claimed media coverage of the arrest had led another alleged victim to come forward and her historical claims were being looked into.