A Canberra retail store employee charged with the alleged rape of a customer in a staffroom has been granted bail at the ACT Magistrates Court.
Police say around 5pm on November 3, 28-year-old Abhishek Timalsina closed the security shutters of the store in Westfield Belconnen and began taking photos of a woman inside while she was out of view of the public
It's alleged the Phillip man encouraged the woman to enter a small office at the rear of the store, and raped her.
The woman attended hospital after the alleged incident and underwent a forensic medical examination before later reporting the matter to police.
The accused faced the ACT Magistrates Court today via video link.
The court heard Mr Timalsina didn't know the woman before the alleged incident and allegedly didn't seek consent, nor did the woman give it.
Mr Timalsina's lawyer said ACT police had obtained clear CCTV footage from the store which captured some events, but did not capture the incident in the staffroom.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston granted Mr Timalsina bail on a list of conditions including that he not visit the mall.
Mr Timalsina, who is in Australia on a temporary visa, was ordered to hand over his passport and not go within 100 metres of an airport.
He also has to report to police if he is going interstate for more than 48 hours.
He is scheduled to appear in court again next month.
