Fadllaseed Tombe has entered a plea of not guilty to charges that he assaulted a teenager in Newcastle. The 24-year-old appeared before Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday, where he faced allegations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Court Proceedings
During the brief hearing, Tombe's legal representative entered the plea on his behalf. Magistrate Ian Cheetham adjourned the matter to a later date for case conference. Tombe was granted bail under strict conditions, including a ban on contacting the alleged victim.
Alleged Incident
The charges stem from an incident alleged to have occurred in October last year. Police allege that Tombe assaulted a 17-year-old male at a residence in Newcastle's inner city. The teenager sustained minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
Tombe, who works as a hospitality worker, has no prior criminal record. His lawyer argued that the allegations are disputed and that Tombe maintains his innocence.
Next Steps
The matter will return to court in March for a case conference. If the case proceeds to trial, it is expected to be heard in the Newcastle District Court. The alleged victim is being supported by family and victim services.
Outside the court, Tombe declined to comment. The case has attracted local attention due to the nature of the allegations and the age of the alleged victim.
