Man accused of 'stealthing' during alleged sexual assault in brothel

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual violence.

Among the allegations against a man accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting an escort in a Canberra brothel are that he committed the offence of ‘stealthing’.

Rony Niatin, a 36-year-old construction worker from Vanuatu, has been charged with five counts of sexual intercourse without consent and one count of sexual assault in the third degree.

On Friday (29 November), the ACT Magistrates Court heard it alleged he went to a brothel earlier in November 2024 where he engaged the services of an escort.

It is alleged while the escort established the “ground rules” of what sexual activities were permitted, Mr Niatin performed activities that she didn’t consent to.

The escort allegedly tried to push him away during the acts and said “no” and “stop” when he went outside what was allowed.

It is alleged that one of the rules was that he wear a condom, and while he initially wore one, he then removed it.

Towards the end of the alleged incident, he is accused of forcing her onto a bed, pushing her head into blankets and continuing to have unprotected sex with her.

Police said they found Mr Niatin in Campbell on Thursday (28 November) and arrested him. He applied for bail in the Magistrates Court on Friday, which was opposed by the prosecution.

His lawyer, Legal Aid’s Lesley Jayasuriya, said his client had no criminal history, was working to financially support his family in Vanuatu and would lose his job if he was remanded in custody.

Prosecutor Gretta Cuthel said the allegations involved repeated acts of sexual intercourse without consent during the escort’s protestations.

She said the escort was concerned for her safety if he was granted bail as he allegedly knew where she worked and there was a suggestion in court documents that he made a comment about returning there.

Magistrate Ian Temby said it was almost inevitable that Mr Niatin would be sentenced to imprisonment if he was found guilty of the allegations, while he also had information he was “an unlawful non-citizen”.

These provided an incentive to not appear in court, the magistrate said.

While Magistrate Temby noted the financial support Mr Niatin provided to his family overseas, he said, “The risks here are too great to allow him to be granted bail”.

The magistrate also noted that if he did grant bail, it seemed that he’d likely be placed in detention and prevented from working in any case.

Bail was refused, Mr Niatin was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to 16 December. No pleas were entered.

‘Stealthing’ is when a person removes a condom without a sexual partner’s consent.

ACT Policing said the ACT criminalised ‘stealthing’ as an offence in October 2021 by adding it to existing consent provisions under the Territory’s Crimes Act.

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, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.