A New South Wales teenager has been granted strict conditional bail after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman in a Newcastle alleyway last month.
Detectives from Newcastle City Police District and the state's Sex Crimes Squad arrested Jack Milner, an apprentice mechanic, at a Merewether Heights property on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with aggravated sexual assault and inflicting actual bodily harm, as well as intentionally choking a person without consent.
Police allege the "opportunistic" sexual assault occurred in an alleyway outside a pub on Darby Street on November 25.
Mr Milner was initially refused bail in Newcastle Local Court, but when he faced court again on Monday via video link he was granted bail on the condition he remained in his Merewether home under the supervision of his parents.
Mr Milner's solicitor Luke Del Monte told the court his client maintained his innocence and said there was no CCTV footage of the alleged assault.
He also highlighted Mr Milner's clean record and noted his work as an apprentice mechanic would be impacted if he were to remain in custody for an extended period of time.
Magistrate John Chicken said it would take at least a year for the matter to go to trial in the District Court if Mr Milner fought the charges, which prompted his decision to release him on strict conditional bail.
Alleged attack 'disturbing'
Police prosecutor Karl Moir opposed the bail application and told the court the allegations were "disturbing in nature" and "very serious".
The court heard Mr Milner and the alleged female victim were not known to each other.
The alleged victim told three people about the incident immediately after it occurred, the court heard.
The court heard DNA of an unidentified man was found on the complainant's neck.
In her statement, the alleged victim accused Mr Milner of licking her on the neck.
The prosecution is still awaiting DNA test results.
Magistrate Chicken said he believed the Crown case was "strong", however, Mr Milner's age, work and clean past history led to his decision.
"This is not about punishment of Mr Milner — he's never been charged with any case of any sort or ever been in front of police," Magistrate Chicken said.
Under his bail conditions, Mr Milner will be allowed to attend work and must be transported to and from his workplace by his parents.
Mr Milner's parents will deposit $10,000 to the court and forfeit a further $10,000 if Mr Milner breaches his bail conditions.
He is expected to face court again on February 2.
