A 22-year-old French citizen, Adam Berguiga, has been formally charged with multiple criminal offenses following an alleged sexual assault incident that occurred during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Melbourne. The accused appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being extradited from New South Wales, where he was apprehended at Sydney Airport on Sunday.
Court documents reveal Berguiga faces seven serious charges, including two counts of rape, recklessly causing injury, and intentional sexual touching without consent. According to police allegations, the incident took place in a laneway near Little Bourke Street at approximately 4:30 am on January 1st, following the victim’s departure from a nightclub where she had been celebrating with friends.
Victoria Police investigators stated that the suspect initially assisted the woman on the dance floor before subsequently assaulting her in the adjacent alleyway. The alleged attack resulted in documented injuries to the victim’s left shoulder, head, and knees. Authorities released two photographs of Berguiga during their public appeal for information leading to his location.
During the court proceedings, a French interpreter was required as Berguiga does not speak English. His defense counsel highlighted the defendant’s vulnerability due to his young age and first-time experience in custody, additionally requesting mental health support services. The magistrate granted prosecutors seven weeks to compile their evidence, with the case scheduled to resume in April. Berguiga remains in custody without having applied for bail.