Rugby league star Brett Stewart has fronted up to a Sydney court in anticipation of his trial for
sexual assault, but it could be days until a jury starts to hear the case.
Some 16 months after the Manly fullback was charged with sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl after the Manly Sea Eagles 2009 season launch, the matter has finally reached Sydney's Downing Centre District Court, where a trial is imminent.
"We are ready to start, subject to some issues in relation to subpoena material," Stewart's barrister, Tony Bellanto, QC, told the court on Monday.
He went on to say there were some "preliminary issues" to be dealt with before a jury was empanelled and that those matters could take a couple of days.
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Stewart's case will be heard by Judge Jonathan Williams and is expected to last more than two weeks.
The 25-year-old is charged with having sexual intercourse involving digital penetration with the 17-year-old girl without her consent, on the evening of March 6, 2009, at North Manly on
Sydney's northern beaches.
He is also accused of assault with an act of indecency, namely that he "forced his tongue into her mouth".
