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‘Justice got served’: Man found not guilty of nightclub rape

It's taken a year-and-a-half of his life and $130,000 on legal fees, but David Charles Massa believes the fight to clear his name of rape charges has been worth it.

The 47-year-old stood trial over an encounter with another man in the smoking room of Universal Sydney nightclub in June 2024.

He was accused of placing his hands into the complainant's underwear and molesting him for several seconds before smelling his own fingers.

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NEWS: David Charles Massa, (blue suit) accused of raping another man inside a nightclub on Oxford Street, departs Downing Centre courts.  January 2026, Photo: Wolter Peeters, The Sydney Morning Herald.

But Massa was acquitted of two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two backup counts of sexual touching without consent in the NSW District Court today.

"Not guilty," a jury foreperson told the court.

Massa had admitted putting his hand down the other man's trousers and touching his bottom, but said the advance was consensual.

He was visibly relieved as he left the court surrounded by a crowd of family and friends.

"I'm really pleased that justice got served," he told AAP.

"There's only three things that can't hide for too long: the sun, the moon, and the truth. And that finally came out today."

The 47-year-old described the toll the "false allegations" have taken on his life, costing him $130,000 in legal fees and a year-and-a-half of his life.

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NEWS: David Charles Massa, (blue suit) accused of raping another man inside a nightclub on Oxford Street, departs Downing Centre courts.  January 2026, Photo: Wolter Peeters, The Sydney Morning Herald.

The jury made the right decision, Massa said, and he was happy it was all behind him.

"I'm just happy to move on with my life," he said.

In her closing arguments, his barrister, Nicole Carroll, had pointed to CCTV footage from the early hours of the morning on June 1, 2024, at the Oxford Street club.

She said it showed the complainant talking, laughing and smiling with Massa, and kissing him even after the alleged rapes.

The man did not appear to be upset, awkward, frustrated or in pain, she argued.

Instead, he only left because his girlfriend pulled him away from Massa after the two men were seen close together, Carroll said.

The prosecutor's argument that Massa knew there was no consent and proceeded anyway was dismissed by the jury when it delivered verdicts of acquittal.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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Residents of rural Queensland town urged to evacuate as floodwaters rise

Residents near the Copperfield River in Far North Queensland are being urged to evacuate as floodwaters rise.

Etheridge Shire Council has issued a flash flooding emergency warning for people in all areas of Einasleigh to leave immediately, warning residents their lives are at risk.

The water in the Copperfield River is rising quickly and the Copperfield Dam is spilling due to heavy rain.

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"Dangerous, wide-spread flooding is happening now," the council said.

"Do not expect emergency services to come to your door.

"If your life is in danger call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

"If you are flooded in your home, call the SES on 132 500."

The council is warning single-storey buildings could be fully flooded as waters rise, roads and bridges may be closed and evacuation routes might be cut off soon.

Residents are also being warned power, phones, internet and water may stop working.

"It may become too dangerous for emergency services to rescue you," the council said.

Residents are being warned conditions are "very dangerous" and to follow the advice of local authorities.

"Bring your emergency kit and move to evacuation point at high part of Einasleigh-Forsyth road away from the flood now," the warning said.

"Go to Etheridge Shire Council Facebook or disaster dashboard."

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Search for driver after young girls approached and offered lollies in Sydney

A public appeal has been launched after an unidentified man allegedly approached two young girls and offered them sweets in Sydney's inner west yesterday.

Two girls, aged 7 and 4, were on Percy Street in Rozelle at around 10.30am yesterday when the unknown man drove up to them and offered them lollies.

After a short time, one of their family members came out onto the street and the man drove off towards Denison Street.

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Police have released CCTV footage of a vehicle, hoping to speak to the driver who may assist their inquiries.

The driver is described as being a man of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 60s or 70s with an unshaven beard.

He was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and driving a dark grey Toyota Camry sedan.

Police are urging anyone with information on the man to contact Leichhardt Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Death toll in Iran protest crackdown surges past 6000

More than 6000 people have been killed in Iran's bloody crackdown on unrest, human rights groups claim, as protests reach the one-month mark.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran, said 6126 people had been killed in clashes between protesters and government forces in the last 30 days.

The organisation said 5777 of these victims were protesters and 49 were non-protesters or civilians.

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They estimate 86 children have died, and 214 people associated with government forces have also been killed since authorities cracked down harshly on unrest at the end of last month.

The government has limited internet access inside Iran, making it difficult to verify the true death toll.

HRANA claims it is investigating more than 17,000 potential deaths. 

"Widespread internet disruptions and shutdowns have remained one of the government's main tools for restricting the flow of information and reducing protesters' ability to organise," it said.

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Vehicles drive past portrait of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, left, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in downtown Tehran. the theocracy has struggled to deal with dissent in recent weeks.

"This situation has effectively caused serious disruption to citizens' access to information, communication with family members, online services, and independent media."

Government sources claim that the death toll is only just over 3000, 2427 of which are civilians and security forces.

They have labelled the rest "terrorists".

In the past, Iran's theocracy has undercounted or not reported fatalities from unrest.

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A billboard depicting a damaged US aircraft carrier with disabled fighter jets on its deck and a sign reading in Farsi and English, "If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind," is seen at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Square in Tehran. Iran has blamed foreign powers, including the USA, for the recent unrest and protests.

That death toll exceeds that of any other round of protest or unrest there in decades, and recalls the chaos surrounding Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

HRANA figures state nearly 42,000 people have been arrested, and more than 11,000 have been severely injured in the process.

Iranian state media has tried to blame forces abroad, including the USA, for the protests.

However, the regime remains broadly unable to address the country's ailing economy, which is still squeezed by international sanctions, particularly over its nuclear program.

– with Associated Press

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