A Peelwood horse breeder accused of sexually assaulting a young German woman on a farm stay with him remains in custody after appearing in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.
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Gregory Richard Douglas, 66, is accused of sexually touching an 18-year-old German woman at a rural Peelwood property several times between September 28 and October 18.
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The woman made a report to the Surry Hills Police Area Command earlier this week, who then referred it to the Hume Police District.
Douglas was arrested at a Peelwood property about 1pm on Tuesday, October 22 and taken to Crookwell Police Station.
Investigators then executed a crime scene warrant at the rural property.
Officers seized computers, mobile phones and electronic storage devices.
Douglas was later charged with sexual assault and four counts of sexual touching without consent.
He appeared in the dock wearing a T-shirt, grey pants and socks at Goulburn Local Court on October 23.
Douglas applied for bail, represented by solicitor Sam Rowland.
The police prosecutor expressed concerns for the community's safety if bail was granted.
"We have the case of a 66-year-old man and an 18-year-old girl in a foreign country, in a remote area, relying on him for accommodation and meals," the police prosecutor said in court.
Solicitor Mr Rowland argued there was "nothing on [Douglas'] criminal record that suggests he is likely to breach any court orders".
Mr Rowland argued Douglas needed bail to care for his and others' horses.
"He is a horse breeder by trade and cares for a significant number of horses," Mr Rowland said.
"He volunteers and helps other farmers through a program called Farmers Helping Farmers and delivers feed to various properties for horses."
However, bail was refused by Magistrate Geraldine Beattie based on the seriousness of the charges.
"The matters are of great concern, alleging an 18-year-old who has travelled from overseas to work on a rural property," she said.
"It's a very isolated property and her vulnerability was obvious; as a result, she was reliant and dependent on the defendant.
"I have not heard from someone else that the horses cannot be attended to by someone else, particularly given the owner of the horses is in court."
Douglas has not entered a plea, although Mr Rowland said the case was "destined to go to a trial".
The case has been adjourned to December 18 and police inquiries are continuing.
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a crime such as this is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
