Arabic version: مدير رعاية سابق ينفي 30 تهمة أمام محكمة في نيوكاسل

According to ABC News, former out-of-home care manager Damian Ellis Spohr, 30, has pleaded not guilty to 30 offences alleged to involve five female work colleagues over five years. Spohr appeared from Hunter Correctional Centre by audio-visual link for an arraignment hearing in Newcastle District Court and remains in custody.

The charges relate to alleged conduct between 2020 and 2025 across several New South Wales locations, including Moss Vale, Tweed Heads, Greta, Maitland, Rutherford, Raymond Terrace and Blackalls Park. Spohr is accused of offences including sexual intercourse without consent, aggravated sexual assault inflicting actual bodily harm, sexual touching, choking-related offences and intentionally suffocating a colleague without consent. He denied every charge.

Judge Tim Gartelmann heard that some of the choking allegations involved rendering an alleged victim unconscious and incapable of resistance. Crown prosecutor Adele Banks described the matter as extensive, telling the court there was a huge body of text-message evidence. Apprehended violence orders are in place for all five women, the court heard.

Spohr was arrested last year after Port Stephens-Hunter detectives investigated a number of alleged sexual assaults. At the time of his arrest, he was an out-of-home care manager at a Hunter community services provider. Defence barrister Zoe Alderton estimated a trial could take five to six weeks and described the case as voluminous and complex.

The case was adjourned until November 5, when the court will consider whether a trial can be held in Newcastle as a special fixture or should be moved to Sydney. A trial date is expected to be set next month.