A man is accused of offering to give a stranger a lift home, before raping her and stealing the woman's groceries, in what a magistrate has labelled "bizarre" allegations.
The alleged rapist, Stipe Antunovic, 62, was granted bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday.
He is yet to enter pleas to sexual intercourse without consent, minor theft and driving while suspended.
Antunovic, of Belconnen, required the assistance of a Croatian interpreter to follow court proceedings.
Police documents state on August 7 the woman purchased $300 worth of groceries at Westfield Belconnen, where an unknown man offered to give her a lift home.
The man, who police believe to be Antunovic, called himself "Steven" and allegedly tried to kiss the woman but she turned her head away and said "no".
He allegedly then asked "you like?", and the woman responded "no".
After loading the groceries into his car, Antunovic is said to have "forced his tongue" into her mouth to try and kiss the woman again.
The alleged victim is said to have forcefully pulled away before responding "yuck".
She then asked Antunovic to drive her home, but, instead, he allegedly drove her to a car park near Lake Ginninderra.
When the woman asked "what are you doing?", he is said to have replied: "There's a food truck."
After leaving the car and asking for a cigarette, Antunovic allegedly "forcefully pushed" her into a bush and raped her.
Documents state she said "no" about six times during the act.
Antunovic is accused of then speeding off in his car with the woman's groceries and Louis Vuitton handbag, leaving her behind.
A passerby called police after seeing a woman lying in the fetal position on the side of the road.
The alleged victim told police she did not know Antunovic well, she was nervous and would not have gone with him if her shopping wasn't already in the car.
Officers arrested Antunovic two days later, following a search warrant of his home and vehicle.
On Monday, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker granted the man bail and described the allegations as "somewhat bizarre".
Ms Walker said that while Antunovic had a criminal history, there was "nothing suggesting violence or a tendency towards inappropriate sexual conduct".
"[The allegation] appears to be an unusual attack upon a person in circumstances where there had been no prior relationship," she stated.
A prosecutor had opposed bail arguing there was an unacceptable likelihood of Antunovic committing crimes and he was a risk to the safety of the public.
He was granted bail with conditions including not to within 100 metres of Westfield Belconnen, not to drink alcohol or contact the alleged victim. Antunovic is scheduled to face court again in September.
-
Support is available. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 6247 2525; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
