Alleged rapist accused of stealthing a sex worker has bail refused

A man aged in his 30s is accused of stealthing and has been handed three charges over the allegations. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to an alleged sexual assault.

Bail has been refused for a man after he allegedly committed a stealthing offence against a sex worker earlier this month.

The man, who is aged in his 30s but legally cannot be named, has been accused of stealthing while having sex with the woman on 14 January 2023.

It is alleged the service the man arranged required him to wear a condom when they had sex, court documents say.

But he allegedly ripped off the first condom she placed on him, saying he didn’t like wearing them.

The woman allegedly told him she only consented to sex if he wore a condom and placed another on him.

However, it is alleged that after they started having sex, she felt that the condom was no longer on him.

Police raided the man’s home on Monday (15 January) and charged him with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of committing an act of indecency without consent before he was taken to the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday (16 January) and applied for bail.

When the proceedings began in court, defence barrister Jack Pappas asked for a non-publication order to be made on his client’s name, which was opposed by the prosecutor but ultimately granted by Magistrate Glenn Theakston.

Much of the other information presented to the court was also suppressed, but the magistrate ultimately refused bail, remanded the man in custody and adjourned the matter to February.

The man has pleaded not guilty to his charges.

Stealthing is when a person secretly removes a condom without a sexual partner’s consent. The ACT made the act a criminal offence in October 2021.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.