An Olympic equestrian hopeful who had a rape charge against him sensationally dropped is back in the saddle and hopes to put the court case behind him.
Callum Buczak appeared virtually for the brief administrative hearing in the County Court of Victoria on Monday where prosecutors formally announced they discontinued the charges.
The 30-year-old was charged with rape in mid-2019 following an investigation into claims he sexually assaulted a woman at Frankston in February of that year.
The elite rider has always strenuously denied the accusations and was relieved the charges were finally dropped.
“After such a long road through the justice system I believed I have been vindicated, now I just want to put it behind me and re-establish my career,” Mr Buczak said.
In a statement, the Office of Public Prosecution did not outline the precise reasons why the matter was discontinued.
“After careful consideration of the matter, the director determined that the prosecution will not proceed to trial,” a spokeswoman from the Office of Public Prosecutions said.
Mr Buczak is facing additional charges of stalking in relation to the same woman but those charges are also expected to be thrown out at a hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court next month.
In 2020, Mr Buczak and his girlfriend at the time Alexandra McDonough were both hit with those offences.
It was alleged the equestrian stalked the woman between February and December 2020 and “encouraged” his girlfriend to trace her online activity.
During committal proceedings on the stalking allegations barrister Damian Sheales said the alleged victim had a “vendetta”against the rider.
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