Man refused bail over 'curse' sex charges

A Sydney court has refused bail to a man accused of 69 sexual assault offences against a woman.

Arthur Psichogios, 38, is charged with 68 counts of sexual intercourse without consent and one count of assault against a 38-year-old woman.

A second man, a 61-year-old, is yet to appear in court as he was taken to hospital after his arrest suffering chest pains.

It is alleged the offences were carried out over four years as part of religious rituals aimed at removing a curse on the victim's family.

In Burwood local court, Psichogios's barrister said the crown had a weak case against his client, who he described as a hardworking breadwinner for his family.

The magistrate, Jane Motley, said Psichogios was facing the prospect of a full-time custodial sentence so refused him bail.

Psichogios will re-appear in late October.

Meanwhile, New South Wales Police say they incorrectly identified two alleged sex offenders arrested today as "highly regarded members of the Greek Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox Communities".

Detectives now say there is no evidence linking either of the men to the Coptic Church.

The Greek Orthodox Church has also released a statement saying that the man identified as Greek Orthodox is unknown to churches across Australia.

Police now acknowledge that belief in "the Evil Eye" is not an accepted belief within the Greek Orthodox or Coptic Orthodox faith.

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