Court to assist child giving evidence against Ben Ungermann

Four child witnesses will be called to give evidence in the sex assault case involving Masterchef star Ben Ungermann.

Former Masterchef contestant Ben Ungermann, known as the “Ice-Cream King”, is fighting sexual assault charges in the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Picture: Jerad Williams

Thirteen witnesses will be called to give evidence in the case of a MasterChef star charged with sexually assaulting a teenager.

Ben Ungermann’s case will be decided in the Melbourne Magistrates Court over a scheduled seven days next year.

He was dumped from Masterchef’s 2020 season after police charged him with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Melbourne in February.

Mr Ungermann’s denies the charges.

Prosecutor Stephen Payne on Thursday said he anticipated calling 13 witnesses to give evidence in court, including three child witnesses.

Two will be 17 by the time of the hearing, the court heard.

Magistrate Andrew Capell ordered an intermediary be appointed to help a younger child witness give evidence.

Intermediaries are skilled communication specialists whose role is to help child witnesses give complete, coherent, and accurate evidence in the intimidating environment of a court.

Ben Ungermann is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old in Melbourne. Picture: Instagram

Ben Ungermann was dropped from the 2020 series MasterChef Australia: Back To Win after he was charged by police.

Mr Capell ordered a ground rules hearing take place in April to establish the manner and content of the questions the younger child will be asked.

Mr Ungermann was the runner-up in the 2017 series of MasterChef, losing out to Diana Chan.

He announced he would reappear in this year’s “Back to Win” series of the popular cooking reality series — but was dropped after police filed sexual assault charges.

The “Ice-Cream King”, as he was known on the show, has also been wiped from the website of his family business Ungermann Brothers gourmet ice cream, run out of Ipswich in Queensland, which previously listed him as a founder.

“Ice-Cream King” Ben Ungermann is fighting sexual assault charges in the Melbourne Magistrates Court. Picture: AAP/David Clark

The witnesses to give evidence include police and civilian witnesses from both Victoria and interstate, Mr Payne said.

Mr Ungermann’s bail was extended by the court on Thursday.

He did not appear in court but was represented by his lawyer Sarah Condon.

The contested hearing will begin May 17.