Anthony James Stengewis faces court in Adelaide accused of attempting to rape a girl, 13, at a Gilberton bus stop

A teenage girl shouted for help as a man in his 50s pushed her into bushes and attempted to rape her in broad daylight at Gilberton, a court has heard.

A schoolgirl, 13, shouted “assault” and “help” as a stranger attacked her at a bus stop, forced her into nearby bushes and tried to rape her, a court has heard.

In the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, SA Police alleged Anthony James Stengewis approached the girl on Walkerville Terrace, Gilberton, and asked: “do you have a boyfriend?”

They alleged that, when the girl told Mr Stengewis to “go away” he assaulted her – and that the entire incident was heard by her sister, whom the girl had called on her phone.

“As he tried to pull her shorts down she was repeatedly shouting ‘assault’ and ‘help’ but the male did not stop, and no one else was around,” they told the court.

“She started kicking him in the stomach and groin … this went on for about one minute before he got up and left.”

Bus stop 7 at Walkerville Tce, Gilberton, where the girl was allegedly approached by the stranger. Picture: Google Street View

52 year old Anthony Stengewis has just faced court charged with attempting to rape a schoolgirl as she waited for a bus in Walkerville. The court told how the victim was on the phone to her sister as the attack allegedly played out. Stengewis was refused bail. @9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/cAqjaXewJE

— Keziah Sullivan (@9keziahsullivan) February 10, 2022

Mr Stengewis, 52, of Medindie, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of attempted engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without consent.

He was further charged with one count of assault with the intent to commit an offence.

The charges relate to an alleged incident near bus stop 7 between 4.26pm and 4.30 that day.

On Thursday, counsel for Mr Stengewis asked the court to order a home detention bail report for a boarding house in Medindie.

Conceding the allegations were serious, they said their client sought only home detention bail.

Prosecutors, however, said all forms of bail were opposed.

“The victim, who is 13 years old, observed an approximately 50-year-old male staring at her as he walked toward her from the Buckingham Arms Hotel car park,” they said.

“She has given a detailed account (that) is corroborated by a family member, who was on the phone while the assault occurred, and a detailed description of the man, which matches the defendant.

“The boarding house is two to three minutes’ walk from the scene, less than 300m from a school, and its manager observed the defendant (returning) and recognised him.”

They alleged Mr Stengewis had an extensive, but dated, criminal history including prior convictions for assaulting police and failing to answer his bail.

“He’s demonstrated a propensity for violence and we hold grave concerns for the safety of the community if he is given bail,” they said.

That prompted several outbursts from Mr Stengewis, who appeared in court by video link.

“Did you say I went near a school with children? You are full of s--t,” he asked.

“I’ve done no violence, I’ve never done any violence.”

Magistrate Stefan Metanomski said the allegations were too serious to warrant any form of bail and remanded Mr Stengewis in custody to face court again in May.