Date set for trial of New York banker accused of raping Irish student

The trial of a New York banker accused of raping an Irish student will begin on April 6th.

Jason Lee, who was a managing director at Goldman Sachs, was arrested in August 2013 and denies all the charges against him.

The trial date was set on Friday by Judge Barbara Kahn, after a 25-minute conference in her chambers.

Prosecutors say the victim, who returned to Ireland after the alleged attack, will give evidence. Mr Lee (38) declined to comment as he left the Suffolk County Court, Long Island.

Andrew Lankler, his lawyer, said: "We are going to trial and we are looking forward to it."

As well as the rape charge, which carries a minimum of five years in state prison, Mr Lee faces two lesser charges of assault and sexual misconduct.

According to the prosecution, Mr Lee was arrested at the holiday home he was renting in the Hamptons after a night out celebrating his birthday. He and a friend met a group of Irish student celebrating the end of the summer season and invited them back to the house where the attack is alleged to have occurred.