Kye Zachary Scott: Geraldton teenager pleads guilty to rape charges before trial starts

A Geraldton man who was set to stand trial this week has entered a last-minute plea of guilty to three rape charges against a girl he met over Snapchat.

Kye Zachary Scott appeared in Geraldton District Court on Monday charged with seven counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent, one count of aggravated indecent assault, and impeding another person’s breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to their neck.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual penetration and one count of impeding another person’s breathing.

The remaining charges were dropped.

State prosecutor Gary Huggins said the victim, who was in the court with her family, wanted an apology and recognition of the impact Scott has caused.

However, she does not want him to go to jail and is willing to pursue victim-offender mediation.

The court was told the teenagers struck up a relationship over Snapchat and the victim felt comfortable talking to Scott.

After several weeks of chatting online, they met in person for the first time, however, nothing untoward is alleged to have occurred.

On December 12, 2020, Scott picked the girl up and drove her to West End.

Once there he reached under her dress, the victim brushed his hand away stating she was “not ready for that” but Scott insisted “it would be alright”.

The next day, Scott and the victim were watching a movie at her house when he held her down, choked and sexually assaulted her.

They continued to speak and Scott is said to have committed another offence before the relationship was broken off.

Lawyer Nicholas van Hattern said his client understood that a term of imprisonment would ordinarily be imposed for the offending.

Scott has been granted bail with a $5000 personal undertaking, but he must report to Dongara Police Station every Monday and protective bail conditions remain in place.

He will appear in Perth District Court for sentencing on November 3.