A young woman doing promotions in connection to a Hess Village bar that doesn't want to pay for extra policing was groped while doing her job.

The 19-year-old was working Friday night when the sexual assault happened. The Spectator has learned from a source connected to the case that a man reached under her skirt and also grabbed her breasts.

A man who identified himself on the phone as the manager of Diavolo nightclub in Hess Village said the woman does not work for Diavolo, but rather was working for a business sponsoring the club on the night of the assault. Beyond that, he refused to comment.

Diavolo is one of several Hess Village establishments owned by a group lead by Dean Collet, a partner in Diavolo, Koi Restaurant and Sizzle Steakhouse.

Together they have filed a notice of action against the city seeking the return of $226,000 they have paid over four years for extra policing.

A 2010 municipal bylaw requires Hess Village bars to pay the full cost of overtime or paid-duty officers patrolling the block, which has a reputation for rowdy and bad behaviour in the warm weather.

Fights, stabbings, sexual assaults and two homicides have occurred in the area in recent months.

Rida El-Taki, 19, of Ottawa, appeared in court by video Saturday. He is charged with sexual assault in connection with Friday night's incident.

Publication bans prohibit the identification of the victim and any evidence presented in court related to the allegations.

El-Taki has dark hair and was wearing a dark, V-neck T-shirt. He told the court he works as an internal investigator with the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

A male friend posted El-Taki's bail with $1,000 cash.

His release conditions include having no contact with the victim, to abstain from alcohol and not go into bars, not to be in Hamilton except for court or to meet with his lawyer and not to possess any identification except his own.

He is to appear in court again Aug. 25.