- The alleged crime took place on March 24 of this year.
- Court headed by Star on Thursday pleaded not guilty
A-League star striker Angel Torres has formally denied allegations that he raped, assaulted and intimidated a woman.
The Colombian-born footballer, who played for the Central Coast Mariners before being retired, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him at Gosford District Court on Thursday.
Prosecutors will allege at trial that Torres raped the woman on March 24, 2024 in Terrigal, on the New South Wales central coast.
He faces a charge of aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, which includes an allegation that he deprived the woman of her liberty for a period after the crime.
He also faces two counts of assault and another charge of intimidating the woman, causing her to fear for her safety.
Prosecutors have also filed an alternative charge of alleged sexual intercourse without consent, which eliminates the aggravating circumstance.
Torres, who was assisted in court by a Spanish-speaking interpreter, will remain free on bond while awaiting a trial scheduled for March 24, 2025.
The date will mark exactly one year since the alleged rape took place.
Angel Torres was playing for A-League club Central Coast Mariners at the time of the alleged sexual assault.
Born in Colombia, the footballer needed the help of a Spanish interpreter as he stood in front of the pitch in Gosford, on the New South Wales Central Coast, on Thursday.
The most serious of the charges against Torres carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The striker was removed from his role with the Mariners following his arrest at Sydney Airport in May after joining the team at the start of the last A-League Men’s season and scoring 13 goals in 23 games.
“Given the alleged serious offenses Torres is accused of, Football Australia immediately imposed a no-fault suspension,” the club said in a statement at the time.
“It is important to note that Football Australia, in imposing this provisional suspension, is not making a finding of guilt or fault in respect of the offenses of which Torres has been charged.”
The matter will return to court for a readiness hearing on February 6.