A Newcastle photographer accused of indecently assaulting young women during modelling sessions at his studio has appeared briefly in court.
Robert John Eyre, 55, from Gateshead near Newcastle, appeared in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday charged with attacking a 17-year-old girl and a 21-year-old woman at his photography studio between 2009 and 2012.
Eyre – arrested by detectives last month – was initially charged with two counts of inciting a person 16 years or over to commit an act of indecency and two counts of assault with an act of indecency.
He now faces two fresh charges alleging he raped the 17-year-old girl and indecently assaulted her.
One of the charges states Eyre touched and squeezed the 21-year-old’s breasts through her clothing.
Defence lawyer Mark Ramsland asked magistrate Michael Morahan on Wednesday for an eight-week adjournment to give police time to compile the brief of evidence against Eyre.
Mr Morahan adjourned the case to December 5 and allowed Eyre’s bail to continue.
Outside court Eyre turned away from a media photographer in an attempt to hide his face.
Eyre’s website for his company, Rob Eyre Photography, says he is a Newcastle-based photographer “with experience in all formats of photography, model portfolios, fashion, editorial, product and a passion for dancer photography”.
He is the second Newcastle photographer to be charged with indecently assaulting women at a photography studio.
Allan Todd Cameron, 54, was initially charged in October 2017 with indecently and sexually assaulting three women during modelling sessions at his Gateshead studio over five years.
He now faces a total of 65 charges involving 14 young women dating back to 2009 and is currently before the courts.
Police inquiries are continuing.
© AAP 2018
