Manly's Brett Stewart in court to face sex charges

PETER RAE/SMH

SEX ACCUSED: Brett Stewart arrving for an earlier hearing.

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Rugby league star Brett Stewart has arrived at court supported by his family and girlfriend Jamie Baker to face charges that he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl after a club function last year.

Stewart, 24, is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the girl, following the club's boozy season launch. He is alleged to have also indecently assaulted the girl by forcing his tongue into her throat.

He has strongly denied the allegations.

As Stewart's committal hearing began at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney, his barrister Clive Steirn, SC, told Deputy Chief Magistrate Paul Cloran that Stewart had diabetes and may need to sip on juice occasionally to maintain his blood sugar levels.

The hearing was adjourned for one hour while Mr Cloran reads medical evidence and statements from the alleged victim and her family and a psychiatrist the girl has been seeing.

The court heard the alleged victim's father is overseas and a decision in the case will most likely be delayed until April or May when he is able to give evidence.

- © Fairfax NZ News