Stuart Denton charged over teen sex allegations
A Sydney man “strenuously” denies having sex with two drug-affected teenage children he allegedly approached at an inner-city fast food restaurant, a court has heard.
Central Sydney
Don't miss out on the headlines from Central Sydney. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two teens were high on cannabis when a Sydney man allegedly sexually assaulted them after meeting them at an inner city fast food restaurant, a court has heard.
David Stuart Denton, 55, faces 21 charges over allegations of a sexual assault at Ultimo on April 21, 2021.
Police will allege Denton approached a boy and girl, both aged 15, at a fast food restaurant on George St, Broadway before the pair attended his Ultimo residence later that day.
Court documents indicate police will allege Denton sexually assaulted the pair there and took advantage of the fact they were both affected by cannabis.
He is now charged with nine counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a child, three counts of aggravated sexual acts, four counts of inciting sexual touching, two counts of procuring children for sex, commercial drug supply and two prohibited drug possession charges.
Police specifically allege he masturbated in front of the teens, incited them to sexually touch each other, and sexually penetrated both of them.
The commercial drug supply pertains to what police allege was 0.78g of the psychedelic drug LSD.
At court, Legal Aid solicitor Matthew Wade said Denton denied being sexually involved with the teens.
“He says he met them, they needed somewhere to stay, he accepts they stayed there that night but he denies giving them drugs and alcohol, or alcohol laced with drugs,” Mr Wade told the court.
“He accepts he observed them having intercourse in his loungeroom but he denies ever getting involved physically.”
The court heard Denton had CCTV cameras in his home and both the police and Denton will rely on that footage to support their respective cases about what occurred on the night in question.
Denton will also deny the allegation he had a commercial quantity of the drug LSD at this address following a police raid on August 23, saying testing will soon prove a number of strips of paper at his residence did not have any trace of drugs on them.
However, a police prosecutor described the case against Denton as strong and that a custodial sentence would inevitably follow if he was to be convicted of these charges.
“The accused has chosen to speak to police, twice, and both interviews contradict one another,” the prosecutor told the court.
“At first he denies ever seeing the victims naked, and denies seeing one of them ever again – when he is interviewed once more, the story changes, more light is shed, and the fact emerges there have been recordings of the young people in his house on CCTV.”
Mr Wade said Denton could reside with family in Cranebrook, report to police as often as required, surrender his passport and have an acceptable person put up $10,000 to ensure his appearance at court.
At Downing Centre Local Court, Magistrate Ian Guy described the allegations as “deeply, deeply serious”.
“It’s very troubling, involving a very large number of events which on the prosecution case, the accused has orchestrated,” Mr Guy said.
“The case, in my view, is very strong – there is, initially, the evidence of the complainants, and it has been filled in to a marked degree by the material that has been secured so far by the police.”
Mr Guy noted there had been “initial denials which would refute the allegations of wrongdoing”, followed by a “withdrawal” and concessions that certain things did happen.
The magistrate ultimately determined any time Denton might spend in custody on remand would not exceed what he would likely spend if he was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.
Mr Guy refused Denton’s bail, resulting in an emotional outburst in the cells at Sydney Police Centre.
Denton’s matter will return for brief status on October 19.
New twist for Opal Tower units after cracking scandal
Units within a tower at the centre of one of the country’s biggest building disasters are being listed for jaw dropping prices after an unexpected market change.
First look at final designs as architects battle it out
An inner-city precinct is continuing its urban facelift with a brand new hybrid building, as the architects vying to design it put forward their final vision. Vote on which one you think is best.