Man’s bail bid over alleged rape of child in Lavington

A Victorian man has faced court charged with an alleged historical sexual assault of a child under the age of 10.

A man has been arrested following the alleged historical rape of a girl. Picture: Stock.

A 34-year-old man who was charged with the historical sexual assault of a child under the age of 10 has been granted bail before Albury Local Court.

Robert Walker appeared before Albury Local Court on Monday to apply for bail after being charged with having intercourse with a child under 10 years old, and two counts of indecent assault of a person under 16.

The offences were alleged to have occurred on multiple occasions in the Lavington area, between 2010 and 2011, when the child was under the age of 10 at the time.

In September last year, officers from Murray River Police District established Strike Force Lepemi to investigate reports a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted as a child.

Following extensive inquiries, Mr Walker was arrested at a home in Huon, Victoria, on February 22, before he was later extradited to NSW and charged.

On Monday, Mr Walker’s defence solicitor Chirag Patel said his client was a good candidate for bail as he had no other criminal history, and the alleged offences occurred 10 years ago.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Andrew Pike disagreed stating they were “very serious charges”.

Sgt Pike told the court that in a police interview, Mr Walker allegedly admitted to placing a mobile phone and various items on the victim’s vagina while she was asleep, as well as allegedly admitting to picking the victim up inappropriately and touching her vagina.

Sgt Pike said while the victim had accused Mr Walker of performing a sex act on her, Mr Walker said he had pulled the blankets and her underwear down to “look and stuff” but had never performed the alleged act.

“Your honour is dealing with a strong prosecution case, and he will spend a long time in custody in my submission,” Sgt Pike said.

He said bail concerns included protection of the community, protection of the victim, and interfering with the victim.

“Her mental health has suffered,” Sgt Pike said.

Mr Patel said Mr Walker was of good character and was currently studying accounting and banking.

Magistrate Richard Funston agreed to grant Mr Walker bail under strict conditions including reporting to Albury Police Station daily.

Mr Walker’s mother, who supported him in court, surrendered $50,000 to secure her son’s bail.

However, Sgt Pike submitted an application to the Department of Public Prosecutions to see if the matter should be transferred to the Supreme Court.

Mr Walker will remain in custody until the results of the application are finalised.