THE man accused of luring a teenage girl to a Tamworth guesthouse and sexually assaulting her has had two charges against him dropped in court.
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Adam Lindsey Roy Cobb is being held in custody at Hunter Correctional Centre and appeared in Tamworth Local Court via video link.
DPP solicitor Kat McKay said charges of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under 16; and having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 10 and 14 were being withdrawn.
He is now only accused of one count of having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 10 and 14 - a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 16 years' imprisonment, if found guilty.
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The charge was laid the day before, the court heard, after the case was briefly mentioned and adjourned for 24 hours. Ms McKay said the new charge was essentially identical.
"I formally file a charge certificate," she told the court, adding a case conference will now be held in February.
A case conference allows lawyers and the prosecution to meet and discuss the issues in the case and make any possible formal plea offers or negotiations.
"[There is] no application for bail today," Legal Aid solicitor Rae Parker said.
Magistrate Julie Soars formally refused bail and ordered Cobb to remain in custody until the case returns to court in late-February.
Detectives allege Cobb met the 13-year-old girl at a Tamworth park on September 5 last year, invited her back to the guesthouse and allegedly abused her.
Detectives from the state's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad launched an investigation in February after a report a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted in September.
The pair were not known to each other before the alleged incident, police claim.
After investigations, Cobb was arrested at Newcastle police station in August and charged.
Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
