The 26-year-old man was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday on charges that include sexual assault. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual assault.
A man accused of raping his sleeping housemate has been granted bail on conditions, including that he not be alone around women.
In July 2025, it is alleged he was drunk when he returned to his Canberra home and forced himself on his female housemate, kissing her and grabbing her around the neck.
After falling asleep, she later woke when he was allegedly having sex with her.
The housemate went to police a few days later. After an investigation, police raided the man’s home on 25 July. They charged him with single counts of sexual intercourse without consent and assault, as well as two counts each of committing an act of indecency without consent and choking.
The man, a 26-year-old Chinese national who isn’t named to avoid identifying his housemate, spent about 55 days behind bars before applying for bail again in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday (18 September).
Prosecutor Corrine Kennedy, when opposing bail, claimed he had “a seriously problematic attitude towards women”.
“He does pose a risk, broadly, as he has demonstrated a propensity to disregard consent,” she alleged.
Barrister Anthony Williamson SC, appearing for the man, informed the court that his client was a vulnerable detainee as he has a limited command of the English language so would have a limited ability to interact with other detainees.
“Any period in remand will be a particularly lonely, isolating and burdensome for him,” he said.
Mr Williamson said most of the brief of evidence against his client still remained outstanding so the matter was already beset by delay. He said any trial would not be until the end of 2026, if not later.
“There is a real risk that, even if convicted, any period in remand would be longer than the period of actual imprisonment that he would have to serve as part of any sentence,” he argued.
“This gives rise to the spectre of significant injustice.”
Ms Kennedy said a small component of the brief had been disclosed to the defence team that morning and noted the housemate was worried the man may try to contact her if he was released on bail.
The court heard the housemate hadn’t known the man for long before the alleged assault and had since moved out of that home.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston said he shared the prosecutor’s concerns around bail, but he was focusing on whether conditions could address the risks.
He granted bail on strict conditions, including the man not be in the presence of a female unless in the company of an adult male.
Also, he must reside at an address in Canberra under a curfew, not drink alcohol, surrender his passports and report to a police station every day.
A $20,000 surety had also been offered for him.
The man has entered pleas of not guilty to all charges. His matter will return to court in November.
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