GEORGE NEWS - A 37-year-old correctional services official is expected to appear in the George Magistrate's Court today, 30 April, where he will bring a formal bail application following his recent arrest on allegations of sexual assault.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed the arrest of this official, who is based at the George Correctional Facility. 

According to the department, the alleged offence took place over the weekend of 18 April while the official was off duty.

"The department views these allegations in a serious light and will allow the law to take its course," the DCS said in a statement, adding that the outcome of the bail hearing would determine its further course of action.

The official was arrested at his residence in Thembalethu on Saturday 18 April by detectives attached to the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

He had allegedly sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter at about 22:00 the previous evening.

The matter was reported to the police by the child's mother, and it subsequently emerged that the suspect had allegedly assaulted the victim on a prior occasion.

The accused made his first court appearance on Monday 20 April, where he was remanded in custody. Several officials in uniform were present in court when he was brought up from the holding cells.

He remains in custody pending his bail application later this week.

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