A Wollongong magistrate has granted police permission to photograph the genitals of a refugee accused of molesting and raping his young step-daughter for almost a decade.
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The unusual request came about by way of a police forensic procedure application heard in court on Friday after the alleged victim, now in her late teens but aged between 8 and 16 years at the time, recalled seeing a distinctive mark on the tip of her step-father’s penis during the alleged attacks.
Court documents reveal the man, who has gone by many names, none of which are legally allowed to be published, is accused of subjecting the girl to often violent and degrading sexual acts, holding her hostage inside their northern Illawarra home and once trying to strangle her during an argument.
The girl told police she remembered being so scared during the alleged strangulation she wet herself. The following day she had to wear a scarf to cover the bruises on her neck, police will allege.
The court heard the girl’s mother began a relationship with the man when her daughter was two, however they split six years later, and the mother left the house, leaving the daughter and her brother behind.
The alleged assaults began soon after and even continued when the man began a relationship with another woman in 2015.
The teen eventually disclosed the alleged abuse to her mother in mid-2017 and gave a statement to police.
As well as the alleged mark on the man’s penis, the girl told police her step-father had a wound from a vasectomy he had sometime in 2015/2016 (so as not to get her pregnant) and once asked her to photograph it because he was concerned about how it was healing.
The man was arrested on Thursday and faced court on Friday, where police opposed his application for bail, citing concerns he may flee the country if released.
They said he had changed his name multiple times in the last two decades and recently flew overseas.
However, the man’s lawyer said he needed his liberty to provide financially for his fiance and 16-year-old son and get treatment for significant mental health issues.
Magistrate Peter Thompson refused bail on account of the seriousness of the allegations and concerns he may not show up to court.
The case was adjourned to December 12 for mention.
