NSW: Cop allegedly assaulted man he escorted home, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2004
NSW: Cop allegedly assaulted man he escorted home, court told

By Kim Arlington

SYDNEY, April 23 AAP - A policeman allegedly sexually assaulted a drunk pedestrian
after escorting him home from Sydney's Oxford Street, a court was told today.

Joel Kerde, 36, of Surry Hills, appeared in Waverley Local Court today charged with
one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

The incident allegedly occurred between 5am (AEST) and 5.30am on April 6, while Kerde
was on duty as a constable at the Surry Hills Local Area Command.

He was arrested this morning after detectives from another local area command investigated
the allegation.

Documents tendered to the court stated that Kerde and a probationary constable were
patrolling in a caged vehicle when they saw the 26-year-old man walking along Oxford Street.

They spoke to the man, who appeared intoxicated, placed him in the back of the vehicle
and drove to his nearby home.

According to the court documents, Kerde allegedly told his colleague to wait in the
vehicle while he escorted the man to his unit, where the alleged assault took place.

Kerde, who has been suspended from police duties, was granted bail today by Magistrate
Deborah Sweeney.

The case was adjourned until June 15.

AAP ka/nf/jnb/de

KEYWORD: ASSAULT 2ND NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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