Stewart charged over sexual assault

Manly rugby league star Brett Stewart has been charged with the sexual assault of a
teenager after a booze-fuelled season launch in Sydney last Friday.
Stewart has been under police investigation after being accused of sexually
assaulting a 17-year-old girl following the team function last week.
Police say Stewart had been chatting with the 17-year-old about 8pm (AEDT) on Friday
outside his apartment block in North Manly before she was allegedly assaulted.
Stewart was arrested a short time later.
At the time, he declined a police interview and was released without charge, pending
further investigation.
The Manly fullback, dressed in a suit, arrived at Dee Why police station around 6pm
(AEDT) on Tuesday, accompanied by coach Des Hasler and his lawyer.
After being questioned by police, the footballer was charged with sexual assault.
"Shortly after 6pm, a 24-year-old North Manly man attended Dee Why police station
and was arrested," police said in a statement.
"The man was spoken to by investigators regarding an alleged incident with a
17-year-old girl at a North Manly property during the evening of Friday, 6 March."
Stewart has been granted bail to appear at Manly Local Court on April 7.
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford called for the media to respect the privacy of
the 17-year-old girl.
"I strongly urge all media organisations to respect the privacy of the alleged
victim and allow the process of justice to take its course," he said in a statement.
Stewart appeared in Manly Local Court earlier on Tuesday, when Magistrate Margaret
Quinn extended an apprehended violence order (AVO) issued by police after Friday
night's alleged assault.
The order bans Stewart from approaching or contacting his alleged victim, who lives
in the same apartment complex as him.
Stewart's lawyer Geoff Bellew said the AVO did not prevent his client from returning
home.
Mr Clifford spoke briefly to reporters outside the Dee Why police station after
Stewart was charged.
"Police have reached the stage where it was appropriate to charge the 24-year-old.
They have done that and the matter is now before the court," he said.
He would not say whether the Sea Eagles fullback had provided a statement or been
interviewed, but said his lawyer had accompanied him.
Mr Clifford would also not comment on any evidence, including DNA, against Stewart.
"I'm not going to be drawn on a position to discuss any evidence that will be
presented," he said.
"There will be a brief of facts presented to the court on the 7th of April."
Mr Clifford said Manly Police were looking into the incident involving fellow Manly
player Anthony Watmough.
Watmough has been accused of punching a sponsor after the man told him off for
harassing his daughter at the same function.