Star A-league striker Angel Torres has formally denied allegations he raped, assaulted and intimidated a woman.
The Colombia-born footballer, who played for the Central Coast Mariners before being stood down, pleaded not guilty as the charges were read out to him in Gosford District Court on Thursday.
Prosecutors will allege at trial that Torres raped the woman on March 24 in Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast.
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He faces one count of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, which includes an allegation that he deprived the woman of her liberty for a period after the offence.
He is also facing two counts of assault and a further charge of intimidating the woman, causing her to fear for her safety.
An alternative charge has also been brought by prosecutors for alleged sexual intercourse without consent, which removes the aggravating factor.
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Torres, who was helped in court by a Spanish-speaking interpreter, will remain on bail while he awaits a trial set for March 24 next year.
The date will mark exactly a year since the alleged rape took place.
The most serious of the charges against Torres carries a maximum 20-year jail term.
The striker was stood down from his role with the Mariners following his arrest in May after joining the team at the start of the last A-League Men season and netting 13 goals across 23 games.
“Given the alleged serious criminal offences with which Torres has been charged, Football Australia immediately imposed a no-fault suspension,” the club said in a statement at the time.
“It is important to note that Football Australia in imposing this interim suspension is making no finding of guilt or fault in respect of the offences with which Torres has been charged.”
The matter will return to court for a readiness hearing on February 6.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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