John Nasralla faces 13 charges of sexual assaulting, choking woman in Engadine

A 19-year-old teen has made a bid for bail after he allegedly sexually assaulted and choked a woman while he was on drugs and drunk.

John Nasralla, 19, was charged with 13 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, intentionally choking a person without consent and sexually touching another person without consent. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A young carpenter working at Symbio Wildlife Park has been accused of raping and choking a woman while he was on drugs and drunk, a court has heard.

John Nasralla, 19, was charged with 13 counts of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, intentionally choking a person without consent and sexually touching another person without consent and made a bail application in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday.

Police allege Nasralla raped, choked and touched a woman one night earlier this year in Engadine.

He also allegedly took a photo of her buttocks without her consent.

The court heard the woman told Nasralla to stop on numerous occasions and went to the hospital.

With the police, the woman called Nasralla where he allegedly said, “I didn’t mean to do it on purpose … I was really drunk at the time”.

During the phone call he also allegedly admitted to being on cocaine and ketamine and he apologised to her.

John Nasralla successfully applied to be released on bail.

The court heard, Nasralla, who works as a carpenter at Symbio Wildlife Park, had no criminal history and he had strong community ties, and was supported in court by his father and stepmother.

He was arrested on Thursday morning while at work.

Nasralla’s defence lawyer submitted the alleged admissions could be seen as his client not knowing the woman did not consent at the time, and he apologised because he did not realise she was in pain, adding Nasralla said during the phone call, “I had no idea” and “I don’t know what you are talking about”.

The lawyer said Nasralla would abide by an apprehended domestic violence order and not contact the woman or go near where she lived.

The lawyer claimed the prosecution case was not strong because it relied on the woman’s version of events, adding the alleged physical marks could also be consistent with consensual sex.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart disagreed with the lawyer and said the prosecution case against Nasralla was “very strong” with physical evidence, an early complaint to the hospital, and partial telephone admissions.

He said the risks to the woman and community could be mitigated with strict bail conditions and took into account his nil criminal history and young age.

Nasralla must live at Engadine with his parents, not contact the woman and abide by a night-time curfew unless in the company of his parents.

The case was adjourned to June 1.