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Canberra man accused of strangling 11-year-old girl until she was unconscious faces new sexual assault charge

Anthony Kenyon allegedly pushed an 11-year-old girl from her bike as she rode home from school through Fadden Pines. (Reddit)

Canberra prosecutors have laid a new charge of sexual assault against a man already charged with knocking an 11-year-old girl off her bike as she rode home from school and strangling her until she was unconscious.

Anthony Kenyon, 23, was arrested over the assault, which took place in Fadden Pines earlier this year.

The court had previously heard that a passer-by had become suspicious when he saw a man walking beside the track, in amongst the trees.

The court heard he found the girl and helped her to ring her parents.

The girl's father also intercepted Mr Kenyon after collecting his daughter from the park, taking a picture of Mr Kenyon to show police.

Police eventually arrested Mr Kenyon at the Canberra Hospital.

He has been in custody since bail was refused in February.

On Monday, he faced a new charge of sexual assault in the third degree before seeking bail for a second time.

But that was denied after prosecutors raised concerns about new evidence found during a forensic examination of his computer.

The court heard that in the lead up to the alleged assault he had searched for terms including "j b [jail bait]," "girls", "rape" and "felony murder".

Magistrate Louise Taylor said it was a disturbing window into Mr Kenyon's state of mind.

She noted he had no criminal record and no apparent drug or alcohol problems.

"One wonders what [bail] conditions could be imposed," she said.

"The risk of the conduct is so high no conditions would mitigate the risk."

Sexual assault in the third degree is defined as a person who assaults or threatens another person with bodily harm with the intent to engage in sexual intercourse with that person.

Mr Kenyon will return to court next week.

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