A MAN accused of posing as a spiritual leader then blindfolding, drugging and sexually assaulting a woman who believed she had been cursed was denied bail in a NSW court today.
Tony Golossian, 61, is facing 151 charges of sex offences against the woman between 2001 and 2005.
At Paramatta Bail court today Magistrate Graham Johnson formally denied Mr Golossian`s application for bail.
"Having read the allegations...I must say that if this is proven it would be one of the most bizarre and evil cases I have come across in more than 40 years," Mr Johnson said.
Mr Golossian faced court for the first time today after he was rushed to hospital with chest pains a short time after his arrest on Friday.
A defence solicitor said Mr Golossian was happy to comply with strict bail conditions, including a night time curfew and commitment not to contact the victim.
However, Mr Johnson denied the application. "Of concern is that the victim moved and changed her name but was tracked down by the perpetrator of these offences who (is allegedly the) mastermind of this series of charges," Mr Johnson said.
Police prosecutor Jason France said in court today it was doubted that Mr Golossian actually suffered chest pains on Friday when he was taken to hospital.
"You will note on the (hospital) papers...an unremarkable condition and his ECG was unchanged," Sergeant France told the court.
"This indicated he was trying to ...(pervert) the justice system by faking a heart attack."
Mr Golossian`s co-accused, 38-year-old Arthur Psichogios, faces 79 sex offence charges and was refused bail after his arrest on Friday. Both men are now due to appear in Burwood Local Court on October 29.
Police allege the victim, a woman now aged 30, was blindfolded and subjected to sexual assaults during prayer sessions at five hotels and motels across Sydney and on the state`s Central Coast.
Believing she and her family had been cursed by a member of the Greek community practising black magic, the woman paid between $500 and $1000 per session, spending a total of up to $70,000 out of fear they would suffer terrible consequences including infertility and cancer.
