Jack de Belin pleads not guilty in rape case; bail conditions changed due to ‘high profile’
St George Illawarra star Jack de Belin has entered a not guilty plea in Wollongong Local Court over the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman on December 9.
The incumbent NSW Origin lock also asked the court to alter his bail conditions, with his lawyer saying his rugby league commitments make it difficult for him to report three times a week.
According to
Illawarra Mercury court reporter Shannon Tonkin, police were resisting the change of conditions, but the magistrate granted the application saying de Belin was “too high profile” to be considered a flight risk.
His co-accused, friend Callan Sinclair (21), also pleaded not guilty through his lawyer Graeme Morrison — he was supported by his parents.
It is alleged that de Belin, Sinclair and a 19-year-old woman had attended a Christmas pub crawl in Wollongong and left in a taxi with the woman believing she was being taken to another night spot.
Instead, the trio arrived at a private residence.
According to the woman’s statement to police, the men claimed they needed to get changed, and she needed to use the bathroom, so she followed them inside the apartment.
When she came back out of the room, about 1.30am, she alleges both men were naked and they sexually assaulted her.
After the alleged assault, the woman says she told a friend and went to hospital for treatment.
De Belin voluntarily made a statement at Wollongong Police Station about 3.40pm on December 13, and was charged with on ecoun tof aggravated sexual assault.
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