19 hours ago
Major setback for young lawyer hit with a string of horrific choking and rape allegations - as the private school graduate's career goes up in flames
A lawyer from Sydney 's affluent eastern suburbs accused of violent and sexual offences against multiple women has had his practising certificate suspended.
Commercial litigation solicitor Oska Purcell, 26, faces 22 charges, including choking, sexual assault, and intimidation.
The Council of the Law Society of NSW confirmed in a recently published decision that Purcell's practising certificate has been suspended until June 30, 2026, citing the severity of the allegations.
It described the charges as 'a number of serious offences,' prompting the suspension.
Purcell, who is a graduate of the elite Cranbrook School, where Year 11 and 12 fees exceed $49,000 annually, was initially charged in July 2024.
He was initially charged with two counts of choking, three counts of sexual intercourse without consent, sexual touching, performing a sex act without consent, threatening to distribute an intimate image, two counts of using a carriage service to harass, and assault.
Purcell was rearrested while in a police cell at Waverley Police Station, after a second woman came forward with fresh allegations.
He was subsequently issued with additional charges, including common assault, two counts of intimidation, choking, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
In one alleged incident, Purcell is accused of pushing a woman into a building pillar, which caused her to hit her head.
He then allegedly headbutted the woman after she paid for the meal as he attempted to leave without settling the bill.
Following Purcell's first bail application in July last year, a spokesperson for his former employer, Pryor, Tzannes and Wallis Law, confirmed he had been 'stood down effective immediately.'
At the time, the court heard that Purcell would contest all charges, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge noted a serious pattern emerging from his previous history.
'It is the fourth time the young lawyer has been charged with offences against women,' she said.
Purcell had two previous matters in 2019 and 2022 dismissed on mental health grounds.
'He continues with the same kind of behaviour with other women,' Magistrate Milledge told the court.
'This causes a grave concern, if it's not brought into check, it could escalate into something worse than we've seen.' she said.
Purcell's case is scheduled to return to court for a committal mention on July 17.
