Man, 28, accusing of attacking woman after knocking out her male friend

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A British man who was working as a ski instructor in Australia’s Snowy Mountains has been charged after being accused of a “horrendous” sexual attack on a woman and knocking out her male friend.

Matthew James Williams, 28, was arrested and charged on Tuesday in Jindabyne, near the New South Wales-Victoria border, where the attack allegedly took place last week.

He was denied bail when he appeared in Queanbeyan local court on Wednesday accused of aggravated sexual assault, grievous bodily harm and assault charges as well as cannabis possession.

It is alleged a 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were walking along the town’s main road after a night out when they were approached by a man who punched the man unconscious and physically and sexually assaulted the woman.

The pair from NSW were treated by paramedics for facial injuries before being taken to hospital.

“It’s a fairy horrendous attack for us just hearing about it, let alone having to experience it,” acting Det Supt Tom Barnes told reporters in Sydney. “The victims are recovering as well as can be expected from their physical injuries but clearly they have a long way to go in terms of the psychological impact it’s no doubt having.”

Investigators believe the man, who works as a ski instructor, acted alone.

Barnes said the man had spent a short period of time in Australia doing seasonal work.

He is expected before the same court again on 26 July.

