An Albury chef charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl has been denied bail, and may miss the birth of his first child.
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It's alleged Casey Harbridge met the victim on social media and had sexual intercourse with her in Albury on the night of October 11 last year.
Two family members supported the 28-year-old in Albury Local Court on Wednesday during his application for release.
He was arrested at the Albury Police Station next door a day earlier.
Harbridge fronted the court in prison greens, with two family members nodding at him as he entered the dock while handcuffed.
"Mr Harbridge denies this offence," his lawyer Rebecca McIlveen said.
"He intends to defend it."
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He faces charges of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under 16 and having sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14.
Albury-based child abuse and sex crime officers have been investigating the matter since October.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Because of the serious nature of the allegations, Harbridge had to show why his detention was not justified.
Ms McIlveen said her client's partner was pregnant and expects to give birth in the next six to eight weeks.
There have been issues during the pregnancy, the court heard.
Ms McIlveen said the woman didn't drive, which would make transportation to appointments difficult, and Harbridge could lose his job and possibly miss the birth of his child if he was in custody.
"They're expecting their first child and (his partner) is in a somewhat vulnerable position," Ms McIlveen said.
She said being in custody would be "deleterious" to his job and the business would suffer.
Registrar Wendy Howard read details of what police alleged.
She refused his bail application and said Harbridge hadn't met the test for bail to be granted.
"Whilst I accept the circumstances your solicitor has raised ... I don't believe it meets the requirements I need to grant you bail," Ms Howard said.
She noted the 28-year-old could make another bail application when his matter returns to the court on Tuesday.