A Balgowlah man appeared in court today after it is alleged he choked and raped a woman in Manly’s Ivanhoe Park Botanic Garden earlier this year.
Liam Robert Fletcher, 39, is charged with aggravated sexual assault inflicting actual bodily harm and three counts of choking a person with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Police allege Fletcher attacked a 21-year-old woman visiting Australia at the Raglan Street park after 9:30pm on July 17, 2025. The woman was allegedly strangled and sexually assaulted, causing her to lose consciousness during the attack.
Fletcher was arrested at his Balgowlah home two days later by detectives from Northern Beaches Police Area Command and the Sex Crimes Squad as part of Strike Force May.
He remains in custody and has not applied for bail, nor has he entered a plea.
The case went before Downing Centre Local Court today but was adjourned for a brief status (committal) hearing on November 6 at the same court, where he will appear via video link.
Manly Observer will continue to monitor the case.
