The alleged assault was in September last year, but he allegedly began to groom the girl over a year earlier. 

He has also been charged with three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations after allegedly befriending or communicating with the girl and two additional children over Facebook. 

The 35-year-old, who is being held in custody, did not appear at Bega Local Court on Tuesday, March 12 when his case was heard. 

No application for bail was made, and Magistrate Mark Douglass formally refused it before adjourning the matter to May 28 so a case conference could be held in April.