A Port Kembla personal trainer will fight allegations he harassed and intimidated a woman on a local beach, prompting her to later speak out about the incident on social media as a warning to others.
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Cassie Bryan took to Facebook last month to warn other women about a man after she was approached at Port Kembla Beach while on an early morning walk on June 26.
Ms Bryan said the man told her "you're cute. I'm down to have some fun".
She allegedly told him she wasn't interested but he allegedly continued to harass her, insisting she enter his number into her phone then forcing her to hug him.
Ms Bryan posted about the incident on the UOW Students Buy and Sell page, which attracted hundreds of comments from other women.
She reported the matter to police on the evening of September 27.
Police arrested Port Kembla man Simone Vartolo at a home on Dovers Drive the following day and will allege he was the one who approached Ms Bryan in June.
Vartolo was charged with one count each of common assault and intimidation and released on conditional police bail. He fronted Port Kembla Local Court for the first time on Wednesday, accompanied by his mother.
Vartolo entered pleas of not guilty to both offences during a brief mention of his matter.
He was represented by Legal Aid lawyer Jordan Mechan during the proceedings.
Vartolo, who was dressed all in black, with his hair pulled back and sporting large, round sunglasses, did not speak to waiting media as he walked from court.
The case will return to court on November 20.
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