A young French tourist, facing serious allegations of assault, is making a daring attempt to regain his freedom while navigating a legal battle in Melbourne. Adam Berguiga, a 22-year-old Uber driver, was brought before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being extradited from Sydney. This follows accusations of an attack on a woman in a Melbourne alleyway on New Year’s Day.
Berguiga is seeking bail, even as he faces claims of attempting to leave the country following a police search of his shared residence in St Kilda. His situation has drawn significant attention, given the gravity of the charges.
During the hearing, Detective Leading Senior Constable Diane Jeffries presented a stark narrative of the events, as alleged by the police. The incident is said to have occurred in the early hours of January 1st in Melbourne’s central business district. The alleged victim, a 33-year-old woman, was reportedly left deeply traumatized and physically harmed by the encounter.
At the time of the alleged crime, Berguiga was in Australia on a working holiday visa. The night began at the Billboard nightclub, but according to authorities, it took a dark turn, transforming what should have been a festive occasion into a harrowing ordeal for the woman involved.
The alleged incident unfolded in the early hours of New Year’s Day in Melbourne’s CBD, leaving his 33-year-old alleged victim traumatised, battered and bruised.
The court heard Berguiga was in Australia on a working holiday visa when he allegedly turned a night out at Billboard nightclub into a nightmare for the partygoer.
Arriving in Australia just six months earlier, the backpacker – whose visa expires in June – had been crashing on a couch in a St Kilda share house.
CCTV footage described in a police remand summary allegedly revealed the Frenchman’s disturbing deception.
Adam Berguiga, 22, after his arrest on alleged rape allegations
The alleged victim, who admitted being heavily intoxicated at the time, had attended Billboard with mates just before 2am.
At 4.10am, Berguiga allegedly spotted her perched unsteadily on a stool near the dancefloor after she became separated from her friends.
The court heard he allegedly began kissing her aggressively and groped under her dress before she fell to the floor.
Yet, in a move that prosecutors say masked his sinister intentions, he helped lift her back up, steadying her as concerned onlookers watched on.
‘He assisted her by holding her up,’ Leading Senior Constable Jeffries said.
CCTV footage allegedly showed Berguiga escort the woman into the women’s toilets and then into the men’s, before security intervened and ejected them both from the venue at 4.23am.
Outside on Russell Street, with his arm firmly around her shoulders, Berguiga allegedly physically supported the wobbling woman as they staggered onto Little Bourke Street and then turned left into dimly lit Corrs Lane.
The Melbourne laneway where Adam Berguiga allegedly raped his drunk victim
In a secluded alcove outside Melbourne Praise Church, footage allegedly showed him waiting for people to pass by before unzipping his pants and forcing himself on the woman.
The court heard Berguiga repeatedly raped his victim for four minutes, allegedly thrusting so violently that her head repeatedly banged against the wall.
The alleged victim later told police she had been unable to stand or speak properly and tried desperately to use her phone for help while her legs flailed limply, the court heard
She remembered the Frenchman allegedly choking her and asking if she was ‘good’ during the assault, her body lifeless and non-responsive as he allegedly violated her, the court was told.
After the alleged 32-minute ordeal in the laneway was over, the court was told Berguiga adjusted his victim’s clothes before setting her down in another alcove on Little Bourke Street.
The court heard he waved goodbye as he walked off towards Russell Street, leaving her semi-comatose and alone.
Reorienting herself, the court heard the woman stumbled back to Billboard where she tearfully confided in a friend: ‘I was assaulted.’
Security was alerted and the woman attended Melbourne East Police Station with a friend and the club manager.
Adam Berguiga, 22, is accused of going on the run after police came knocking
Police released an image they claimed to be Adam Berguiga after he went missing
Forensic examinations revealed bruising on her shoulder and legs, and internal injuries.
DNA testing is underway, with Berguiga providing a sample to police.
The Frenchman, identified via his ID at the club, faces serious charges including rape, with additional unlicensed driving offences from his movements that night.
The court previously heard Berguiga could not speak a word of English and had never been behind bars before, despite facing minor drug charges in France.
Police had issued an arrest warrant for Berguiga three days after the alleged assault.
CCTV footage and composite images were released in the hope someone might recognise the suspect.
Berguiga was quickly recognised by authorities as he allegedly tried to leave the country.
He was arrested shortly after at Sydney’s international airport terminal and brought back to Victoria to face justice.
The hearing continues.
