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A 12-year-old Australian boy charged with raping a six-year-old girl at a primary school at Sydney's northern beaches has entered into a not guilty plea.
Fairfax Media reported on Thursday that the boy has been charged with three counts of aggravated indecency in company, two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 and one count of indecent assault.
Court documents alleged that the girl was attacked between June 24 and August 16 this year and between 0800 local time (AEST) and 1600 local time (AEST).
The boy was accused of raping the girl twice on separate occasions, and was with another 12-year-old boy when he allegedly indecently assaulted her three times.
At a Children's Court on Thursday, the boy's defence barrister James Viney formally entered a not guilty pleas to the charges on the boy's behalf.
Viney had also applied to adjust bail conditions, that meant the boy had to reside with his parents at their home in northern Sydney, so he could attend a week holiday.
Magistrate Louise McManus granted the bail variation, and ordered that a brief of evidence be served by November.
The boy sat in the front row of the courtroom and was supported by his mother, father and aunty.
He was also excused from attending the court session in the next occasion.
The case has been referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions, the court heard.
The boy nodded when asked by the magistrate whether he understood the result of his court appearance.
A second boy, 12, has also been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10.
He has been granted bail and is due to appear in court for the first time on October 20.
In legal argument about whether members of the media should remain present while the boy's matter was heard, Viney said this was the first time his client had appeared in a court and he was of a "delicate age".
Magistrate McManus also expressed concern about the impact the media presence could have on a boy his age, and said the court tried to make the legal process as informal as possible for children.
The matter is due for court again on November 24.
"Parents and carers of students at the school are in the process of being notified, and police request the community respect the privacy of the young people involved," police said in a statement after the two boys were arrested last month.
"NSW Police Force works closely with the Department of Education and Family and Community Services to ensure the safety of all students, and additional support has been made available at the school."
The two boys were arrested at Chatswood police station after a two-week investigation earlier this month.
(APD)
