Liam Robert Fletcher, 39: Balgowlah man charged with raping woman in Manly’s Ivanhoe Park

A woman, who was a visitor from overseas, was allegedly strangled into unconsciousness and raped in a park at a Sydney tourist hotspot, a court has heard.

The alleged rape took place in Ivanhoe Park at Manly in July. Picture: Supplied

A woman visiting Australia was allegedly raped in Ivanhoe Park at Manly.

The woman was allegedly strangled until she blacked out during the attack near Manly Oval in July.

She was also allegedly suffocated to stop her resisting the sexual assault, according to documents tendered to Manly Local Court on Tuesday.

Liam Robert Fletcher, 39, of Balgowlah, has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault – inflicting actual bodily harm on victim, two counts of choking a person intending to commit indictable offence and one count of intentionally choking person without their consent.

Fletcher was arrested at his home on Saturday by detectives from Northern Beaches Police Area Command and the Sex Crimes Squad.

Ivanhoe Park, at the top of the picture, is next to Manly Oval and Manly Bowling Club. Picture: Supplied

He appeared in the Parramatta Bail Court at the weekend, where he was refused bail and the matters were adjourned to Manly court for mention.

Fletcher did not appear before Manly court when the matter was called on Tuesday.

Liam Robert Fletcher, 39, of Balgowlah has his matters before Manly Local Court on Tuesday. He did not apply for bail. Picture: Monique Harmer

Police alleged, in documents tendered to Manly court, that Fletcher strangled the woman, “rendering her unconscious” between 9.30pm and 10.20pm on the night in question, with the intention of committing “another indictable offence”.

It will also be alleged that he “did suffocate” the woman “rendering her incapable of resisting” with the intention of committing another offence.

Fletcher’s solicitor Ian Byrne did not apply for bail on Tuesday.

There were no pleas entered to any of the charges.

The police prosecutor told the court that as the charges were strictly indictable — which means they must be dealt with by the NSW District or Supreme Courts due to their serious nature — the matters would be prosecuted by the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutors.

The matters were adjourned to the Downing Centre Local Court on September 16.