Helensburgh carpenter John Nasralla to defend rape charges

A teen zoo carpenter will fight allegations he sexually assaulted, choked and photographed a woman without her consent at a District Court trial.

John Nasralla at Sutherland Local Court earlier this year. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A teen carpenter at a well-known Sydney wildlife park will fight multiple rape and choking charges at trial.

John Nasralla was working at Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh when he was charged with a number of serious sexual assault offences over an incident which allegedly occurred earlier this year in Engadine.

At a bail application earlier this year, a court heard police will allege Nasralla, 19, raped, choked and touched a woman and also took an intimate photo of her without her consent.

At the time, Nasralla’s defence lawyer submitted the question of consent could be an issue in dispute during proceedings.

The Downing Centre court complex. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

Nasralla appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on October 19, where three counts of intentional choking without consent, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and sexual touching were committed to trial at Sydney District Court.

Back-up charges of recording an intimate image without consent and sexual touching were also committed for trial.

Three charges of aggravated sexual assault inflicting actual bodily harm and one of sexual intercourse without consent were also withdrawn and dismissed.

No pleas were formally recorded and Nasralla will be arraigned at Sydney District Court on November 10.