A Sydney-based artist will face court today charged over the alleged sexual assault of four women – including three art students, one of which was tattooed without her consent.
In January, detectives from Surry Hills Police Area Command established Strike Force Freestone to investigate a number of reports of sexual assault in the local area over a three-year period, which they believed may have been linked.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, assisted by Operation ODIN, executed two search warrants at a home at Darlinghurst and an industrial space at Marrickville from 8am yesterday (Tuesday 10 March 2020).
During the searches, police seized four replica pistols, knuckle dusters, prohibited drugs, including methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, and cannabis oil; computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, SD cards, and other electronic equipment.
A 40-year-old man was arrested at the Darlinghurst property and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
He was charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent, five counts of sexual intercourse without consent, use intoxicating substance to commit indictable offence, four counts of possess prohibited firearm, seven counts of possess prohibited drug, and possess prohibited weapon.
Police will allege in court that the man sexually assaulted the four women on separate occasions at the Darlinghurst home between 2015 and 2018.
It's further alleged that the man tattooed three lines on one of the women without her consent.
The man was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court later today (Wednesday 11 March 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Freestone investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
