Self-styled sheik Mon Haron Monis refused bail over alleged sex assault on woman who went to him for ‘spiritual healing’

A SELF-styled Sydney sheik who claimed he was an expert in black magic has been charged with sexually assaulting one of his clients.

A SELF-styled Sydney sheik who claimed he was an expert in black magic, meditation and astrology has been charged with three counts of sexually assaulting a client.

In opposing bail, police said they feared for the safety of the alleged victim, who was 27 when she was allegedly attacked by Mon Haron Monis during healing sessions.

Man Haron Monis is lead to a waiting paddy wagon by police after his arrest today.

The court heard Monis, 49, who was charged under the name Manteghi Mohammad Hassan, had also been convicted of sending offensive letters to the grieving families of seven soldiers killed in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009.

Monis had been on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his former wife Noleen Hayson Pal, when he was arrested by police yesterday.

Monis’s current wife and accused killer, Amirah Droudis, 34, sat in Kogarah Court yesterday while her 49-year-old husband applied for bail.

She is alleged to have stabbed Ms Hayson Pal, 30, multiple times before setting her on fire in a unit block at Werrington last April.

Police refused to reveal the name of the woman to the court for her own protection.

“His co-accused is currently on bail and present in court,’’ police prosecutor Sergeant Kristy Zurvas said.

Man Haron Monis after his arrest this morning.

Sgt Zurvas said Mr Monis’s deceased wife met him in similar circumstances to the victim he allegedly sexually assaulted.

“There appears there are concerns she could end up the same way, is that right?’’ asked Magistrate Catherine Haskett.

It was also revealed photos of her were found during a search of Monis’s home last year in relation to the murder of his wife.

The assaults in 2002 are alleged to have been undertaken under the guise of a spiritual healing technique, and the man warned the woman not to tell anyone about them.

Mr Greg Scragg for Monis said police arranged a meeting between the victim and the accused yesterday, where she wore a listening device.

On that Mr Scragg said he denied he was a spiritual healer named Marcus or had committed any indecent assaults.

Magistrate Haskett refused bail, ordering him to appear in court on April 16, when he is also due to appear on the accessory to murder charges.