Bail granted Chef accused of sexual assault on roommate at Dublin hostel pleads not guilty

A HOSTEL resident has denied sexually assaulting his roommate who allegedly "woke to find a hand down his trousers."

Kurtanet Umerov (58), an out-of-work chef, pleaded not guilty and the case against him was adjourned at Dublin District Court.

Mr Umerov, a Lithuanian national with a current address at a north Dublin city centre hostel, is charged with sexually assaulting the man at another hostel in the city on a date in October last year.

His defence said the accused was entering a not guilty plea and Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case for hearing on a date in September.

There was no CCTV evidence, a garda sergeant said.

The judge granted free legal aid following an application by Mr Quigley, who said his client was on disability benefit and had no assets.

Previously, the court heard it was alleged the accused was staying at a hostel and sharing a room with another service user on the date in question.

It was alleged the man "woke up and there was a hand down his trousers."

The court had heard when charged, the accused replied: "this is not true… I am a sick man, I didn't do anything wrong."

Gardaí objected to bail, believing Mr Umerov was a flight risk.

The accused was a long-term alcoholic and a "frail and unwell man" his defence said.

Bail was granted with no cash lodgement but subject to conditions. Mr Umerov had to surrender his passport under bail terms.