Accused sex offender collapses in courtFriday December 30, 04:53 PM
Accused sex offender collapses in court
A 55-year-old man charged with the rape of a woman on a suburban train has collapsed in a Melbourne court.
Leon Smith faced the Melbourne Magistrates' Court charged with the rape and indecent assault of a 20-year-old woman on a suburban train.
But as security guards led Smith into the dock for what was to be a brief appearance on Friday, he collapsed.
Magistrate Frank Hodgens ordered security guards to remove Smith from the court to be looked at by a nurse.
Police allege Smith committed the offences between McCauley and North Melbourne Railway stations around 9.30am on Thursday.
While Smith was absent, his lawyer Simon Moglia argued the court should be closed to protect the identities of witnesses and others.
Mr Hodgens ordered the suppression of Smith's address, where one of the key prosecution witnesses also resides.
Smith later returned to the dock and was able to sit through the rest of the hearing.
No application for bail was made and the matter was adjourned for a committal mention on March 23, 2006.
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