An eastern suburbs martial arts instructor plans to fight allegations he groomed a teenage girl for sex.
Aaron Smalley, 28, appeared via video link in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday after being charged with sexually penetrating a child under 16.
Mr Smalley is facing allegations he groomed the teenager for sex.
According to court documents police alleged he abused the girl between November 2019 and March 2020. She was younger than 16 when Mr Smalley’s alleged offending began.
The 28-year-old allegedly abused her at a number of locations, including a martial arts gym, xjmtzywan apartment and in a park.
Mr Smalley was has pleaded not guilty to all charges and will face trial at the County Court.
His bail was extended but he was warned against contacting the complainant, now 18.
Mr Smalley was arrested and charged in August last year after an investigation by child abuse detectives.
He will appear in the County Court in April ahead of his trial.
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