Warning: This story contains graphic content.
Perth bikie Troy Mercanti was granted bail on Monday after being accused of raping and assaulting a woman after meeting her on a night out at the Metro City nightclub in Northbridge last week.
The 56-year-old appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via video link where it was also revealed a second woman has gone to police since his public arrest on Thursday, also accusing the Mongols member of a separate sexual assault.
Mercanti appeared in Perth Magistrates Court via video link from Hakea Prison on Monday.Credit: Elliahn Blenkinsop
Mercanti’s lawyer Paul Holmes told the court his client would “strenuously” deny the accusations after police prosecutors alleged the senior Mongols member had been on a night out with Perth businessman John Kizon and another woman when he met one of the alleged victims on May 2.
The court was told the group left the nightclub and went back to Mercanti’s mother’s Karrinyup home, where the victim and Mercanti consumed alcohol and cocaine.
Prosecutors alleged Mercanti then digitally raped the woman, “backhanded her” to the face, and forced the woman onto her knees and put his penis inside her mouth.
“He put his flaccid penis in her face and said, ‘Shut the f--- up and suck it’,” prosecutors told the court.
“He was looking at her like he was going to kill her, so out of fear she put his penis in her mouth.”
The woman allegedly told police she only escaped because someone opened the door to the bathroom they were in. The victim allegedly said, “please, please, help me”, before escaping to a neighbour’s house and calling for help.
In opposing bail, prosecutors pointed to Mercanti’s lengthy criminal history and strong bikie associations, alleging he carried “significant influence with other members” that could “assist him in influencing witnesses on his behalf”.
The court was told the victim had received messages from OMCG members linked to the accused, which she took to be an “implied threat to the victim’s family”.
Prosecutors also said a second woman had come forward “in another matter”, following the media attention of Mercanti’s arrest last week.
“They are completely separate charges,” the prosecutor told the court.
“It’s an historic sex assault and a statement has been taken from that. An investigation has commenced.”
In defence of his client, Holmes said Mercanti had no breach of bail on his record, and said he thought the police’s case was “weak”.
He told the court the matter involved “two people giving a vastly conflicting story”.
“Mr Mercanti absolutely denies the offending,” he said.
The magistrate granted Mercanti bail despite the “difficult decision”, with conditions including regular reporting and no contact with the alleged victim.
Mercanti will return to court on July 15.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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