A well-connected Melbourne man has appeared in court charged with raping a woman in a Sydney hotel room, with police alleging the pair met on a dating app. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
Alleged incident at Sydney hotel
Police allege the man met the 25-year-old woman on a dating app in May and they agreed to meet at a hotel in Sydney's central business district on 12 June. It is alleged that during the encounter, the man sexually assaulted the woman. She reported the incident to police the following day.
The man was arrested at his home in Melbourne's inner east on Tuesday and extradited to Sydney. He was granted strict conditional bail, including reporting to police daily, surrendering his passport, and not contacting the alleged victim. The matter was adjourned to September.
Man's background and connections
The man is described as well-connected, with ties to business and political circles. He has worked in the finance sector and is known for his involvement in charitable events. His lawyer told the court his client denies the allegations and will vigorously defend the charges.
Detective Senior Constable Sarah Jones said police are urging anyone with information to come forward. “We encourage anyone who may have experienced similar behaviour or has information that could assist the investigation to contact police,” she said.
Legal proceedings continue
The case has attracted significant media attention due to the man's connections. The court imposed a non-publication order on the man's name to protect his identity until a committal hearing. The alleged victim is being supported by victim services.
The man is due to appear in court again on 14 September. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison for each count.
