A Chinese movie star's court case in Sydney attracts so much attention that sheriffs have asked he be allowed to occasionally stay home, a court has heard.
Gao Yunxiang, a star so popular in China his lawyer likened him to Hugh Jackman, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times in company of producer Wang Jing at the luxury Shangri-La hotel in Sydney on March 27.
Since being granted bail in June on a $3 million surety and a strict curfew, he has attended every mention of his case at Central Local Court as required.
But each appearance attracts a throng of local and international media with court sheriffs often finding people recording inside the building or on the front steps.
The actor, also known as Gavin Gao, has a long list of film and TV credits including a yet-to-be-released series called Win the World where he starred opposite China's highest-paid actress Fan Bingbing.
The series' release was delayed after Gao's arrest.
On Wednesday, one court sheriff officer was seen yelling "get off the steps" several times at those filming with iPhones as they followed Gao towards the court building doors.
The same sheriff also demanded people in the packed public gallery switch off phones unless they were accredited media.
The fuss caused with every mention of Gao's case was noted by his barrister John Korn, who told magistrate Beverley Schurr court staff had asked whether Gao could be excused from attending on some minor occasions.
"It's perfectly clear this is a type of matter where there is interest in it," he said.
Ms Schurr earlier on Wednesday denied a defence application to cross-examine the complainant in a preliminary hearing.
Complainants in sexual assault matters are typically not required to take the stand at the committal stage unless a magistrate rules there are special circumstances.
Mr Korn had argued the threshold had been met on several fronts including that her statements had inconsistencies and - in the case of her accounts about intercourse - contradictions.
But Ms Schurr ruled issues such as why she was tidying herself at 4am weren't matters with meaning to the case and said it was clear the prosecution case was based on the woman's second, lengthy statement to police.
Regarding a matter of the woman cuddling Wang before the hotel room incident, Ms Schurr said consent in one act didn't mean it existed in another.
"Even if established, it would not likely lead to discharge (at the committal stage)," the magistrate said.
Mr Korn flagged he may appeal her decision to the Supreme Court.
Australian Associated Press
