Ronald Stewart: Moruya man’s sexual assault charges dropped

A man accused of raping a 15-year-old girl on the NSW south coast late last year, has seen his charges dropped months after his arrest.

Ronald Stewart’s charges have been dropped.

An Aboriginal elder has been cleared of child sexual assault charges, months after he was arrested for allegedly raping a teenager on the NSW south coast.

Eurobodalla-based elder Ronald Stewart, 60, was arrested at a Moruya home late last year and taken to Batemans Bay police station, where he was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and intentionally sexually touching a child without consent.

The Moruya man had not entered pleas before his charges were officially dropped in the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

Police previously alleged the 60-year-old man raped a 15-year-old girl in Moruya – 20km south of Batemans Bay – on November 15 last year.

He was later arrested and granted bail.

Ronald Stewart’s charges were withdrawn in the Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

In Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, DPP representative Abbey Bojanik confirmed each sequence was being withdrawn following conversations and negotiations with the prosecution and Stewart’s legal team.

Stewart’s lawyer, Lisa Stone, said on Monday the impact of the allegations badly impacted the 60-year-old man’s life.

“This brief should have never been served,” she said.

“The lasting effects will be forever prolonged.”

Ms Stone said media coverage of the charges “did not help”.

“Mr Stewart was assaulted very badly because of the matter,” she said.

Ms Stone then asked the AVO be dropped alongside the charges, however Magistrate Doug Dick said he did not want to “shoot from the hip”.

While Stewart’s charges were withdrawn, Mr Dick adjourned the matter to August 5 for the AVO to be considered.

Got a news tip? Email us at [e-mail]