A man accused of years of "predatory" abuse against a child in his care is facing multiple incest and sexual assault charges.
The 39-year-old, who has not been named to protect the identity of the child, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday, August 15.
He is yet to enter pleas to two counts of acts of indecency on a person under 16, incest on a lineal descendant over 10 and under 16, and one count each of an act of indecency on a person under 10, grooming, and aggravated common assault.
The man is alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl, then aged between nine and 11, at a Canberra home between 2018 and 2020.
The alleged assaults were reported to police in New Zealand, leading to the man's arrest on Friday.
In court, the man's defence lawyer applied for bail on his behalf, saying he had received instructions from the 39-year-old that he would comply with strict conditions.
He said the charges alleged an abuse of a "parental relationship", but argued that because the child now lives overseas and has no contact with the accused, the risk of endangering the community while on bail was reduced.
However, the lawyer also noted that the man did not yet know where he would live if released, a point that drew immediate concern from Chief Magistrate Louise Taylor.
Prosecutor Daniel Bamber opposed bail, saying the alleged offending involved "ongoing sexual abuse" and "predatory behaviour against a very vulnerable person who was in his care".
Mr Bamber added that additional allegations in New Zealand, which are currently under investigation, suggested the alleged behaviour was not isolated to this child and that he posed a broader risk to children generally.
Chief Magistrate Taylor refused bail, saying she was concerned the man had no stable accommodation or strong ties to the community and was not satisfied any conditions could ensure he would return to court when required.
His case will return to court later this month.
