A school principal accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl has been granted bail in a New South Wales court.
Police arrested the man, aged in his 40s, at a home in the Illawarra region at 4:45pm on Sunday, following an investigation by detectives from the State Crime Command's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 and with intentionally sexually touching her.
Police allege the man sexually assaulted the girl on two occasions at homes south of Sydney.
He applied for bail during a brief appearance via video link in Wollongong Court on Tuesday.
Prosecutors told the court they had strong evidence against him, including a letter written by the girl detailing the alleged abuse.
The prosecution said she had handed the letter to her mother and it was passed on to police.
They argued he should be denied bail due to the nature of his previous work at a school and his access to children.
Accused supported by family, court told
The man's lawyer, Madeleine Hughes, told the court he has the support of his family, who posted a $40,000 bail surety for his release.
Ms Hughes said the man had "a low risk of reoffending" because if he was found guilty of the allegations, it would be the "end of his career".
His family also agreed to supervise him.
In arguing for the man to be released on bail, Ms Hughes said he has significant community ties, is of prior good character and has several positive testimonials from friends.
Magistrate Roger Clisdell said the man does not pose an unacceptable risk to the community and granted him strict conditional bail.
He was ordered not to go near a school, playground or childcare centre and is required to report to police daily until he is due to face court again in January.
The school administration the man works for is yet to release a statement or comment on the matter.
