A MAN stands accused of stalking young women on social media before gaining their confidence, organising a meeting and sexually assaulting them.
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Andrew James Benn, 27, of Rothbury, remains behind bars after being refused bail on allegations that he attacked five women aged between 16 and 20 during a three-year period.
Central Hunter detectives will allege Mr Benn trawled through personal Facebook pages of young women, sending friend requests to random females before striking up online conversations.
After striking up a rapport and gaining their confidence, the mine worker organised a face-to-face meeting where he is alleged to have attacked his victims.
Fairfax Media understands Central Hunter detectives have allegedly found further evidence on a mobile phone belonging to Mr Benn and are investigating how many more potential victims he may have allegedly attacked.
After a short investigation, detectives swooped on Mr Benn on Sunday, charged him with 28 counts relating to two girls aged 16 and 17 and three women, aged 18, 19, and 20.
The charges include 12 counts of sexual intercourse without consent, nine counts of assault with an act of indecency, three counts of assault with act of indecency with a person under 16, and three counts of taking or detaining a person with intent to obtain advantage.
Mr Benn also faces one count of common assault and several unrelated charges.
It will be alleged he attacked the girls and women between November 2013 and January 2017.
Mr Benn did not apply for bail, and it was formally refused, when he briefly appeared in Maitland Local Court on Monday.
He has not been required to enter a plea.
His case was adjourned to Newcastle Local Court on February 27.
A brief of evidence is required to be served on Newcastle Aboriginal Legal Service by February 20.
Central Hunter detectives said in a statement that “police encourage any person who has been a victim of sexual assault to report the matter for investigation’’.
The case has also prompted fresh warnings for young women to be extra vigilant in relation to strangers when using all forms of social media.
Information should be forwarded to Central Hunter detectives at Maitland police station on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
