A Newcastle court has banned publication of the identity of a man charged over the alleged daylight sexual assault and abduction of a child in Newcastle, to protect him in custody.
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The man, 47, appeared in Newcastle Local Court on Sunday after he was arrested at Hamilton just after midday Saturday.
He did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.
He faces 11 charges including aggravated sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and kidnapping.
The man’s defence lawyer successfully argued in court on Sunday that a non-publication order should be granted to protect him in custody.
The court registrar granted the protection despite it being opposed by the prosecutor and the media.
They argued the Department of Corrections has reliable processes in place to ensure the accused's personal safety, and there was no evidence of any specific threat to the accused to make this an extraordinary case.
It comes after an 11-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted in an Adamstown Heights park about 9.15am on Tuesday by a man who said he had a knife.
The girl was allegedly taken from the scene before she was dropped off at Kotara train station five hours later.
The man will face court again on Wednesday.
Police said on Sunday the child was “a hero” for her help in the police investigation.
Investigators believe they have “compelling circumstantial evidence” that will be put before the court.
State Crime Command Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commander Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said “overwhelming” assistance from the community - including more than 200 calls to police during the investigation so far - had helped police.
The breakthrough came late on Friday night when a red vehicle police allege is linked to the incident was identified on CCTV footage from businesses and dashcams in the Adamstown Heights-Kotara area.
The vehicle is being forensically examined, a process expected to take several days.
“We were concerned because this person committed a crime in broad daylight,” Detective Superintendent Kerlatec said.
“Until that person was in custody, there’s a lot of restless nights. We knew there were parents out there, members of the community out there, that were also worried.
“It is remarkable, the strength of this young woman, supported by her friends and family.
“She has stood up to work with us, her family and friends have worked with us.
“Unless you’ve walked in those shoes nobody really knows. They [the family] have some comfort, they slept better last night than what they have the previous nights and I think many other parents in this area would have as well.”
Newcastle City police commander Superintendent Brett Greentree said it had been “a very tough week for the community of Newcastle”.
“This incident sent shivers down the spine of every Novocastrian and affected not only the police but the community right across the Hunter,” he said.
“These allegations are horrific and certainly, we believe, offences not only against this brave little girl but the community of Newcastle.
“This brave little girl is certainly a hero and the courage that she has displayed, and certainly her family, in terms of … supporting the police has just been fantastic and has ultimately led to this arrest.”