An Australian Defence Force member accused of raping a teenage boy has been released on bail.
Perth-based Caleb Horner, 36, was granted the application in the County Court in Melbourne on Monday.
He is due to stand trial next year after pleading not guilty to charges including rape, sexual penetration of a child under 16, sexual assault of a child under 16 and grooming.
Police allege Horner first contacted a 12-year-old boy on Instagram in 2018 before reconnecting with him online two years later.
The 36-year-old is accused of grooming the boy and sexually assaulting him between January and March 2020.
Horner was arrested in November last year and has been in custody for the past 270 days.
In her reasons for granting bail, County Court Judge Fiona Todd noted Horner demonstrated compelling reasons as he had no prior convictions, no previous court orders and a stable address.
Judge Todd said she was concerned about the risk of Horner approaching young boys but felt it could be mitigated through a number of bail conditions.
Horner was granted bail on conditions including that he only uses one electronic device, he does not use social media sites and he does not approach any child under the age of 16.
He is due to return to court next month.
