Song Chi-fan has been released on bail. (photo of the Daily Telegraph)
According to the Daily Telegraph, Sydney-based Chinese tutor Song Zhifan (Zhifan Song, has been released on bail after she was arrested on suspicion of raping a female student at a counselling school in (Chatswood).
Police said that in October last year, Song Zhifan, a 34-year-old living Chechen man, gave her a dose of fluonazepam (Rohypnol). For her insomnia drug during the assault on the 18-year-old victim. It is reported that fluonazepam has a strong sedative and hypnotic effects, can be "charmed", so it is also commonly known as "rogue drug."
Yesterday, Song Zhifan was released on bail from Yinshui (Silverwater) prison before Christmas and was ordered to appear in the (Hornsby Local Court) district court for the first time. The court heard that on October 28 last year, a teenager was allegedly assaulted when he visited Song Zhifan, a counselling school in (Neridah Street) on Cheshire Street. Song Zhifan has been a tutor for many years.
Shortly after the incident, police raided the counselling school and Song Zhifan`s apartment in (Albert St), nearby Albert Street. The next morning, Song Zhifan went to the Consebi police station to turn himself in.
Song Zhifan has previously been charged with indictable and indecent assault for causing others to take less sober substances before being charged with sexual intercourse without consent.
At the hearing of last month`s bail application, Magistrate Les (Daniel Reiss) said the charges were "deeply disturbing" and that prosecutors appeared to have strong justifications.
Mr. Song`s defense lawyer, Nichols (Les Nicholls), said his client had a clean record and had been suffering from schizophrenia since 2003.
Last month, Song Zhifan appeared in prison via video connection. He said he had not taken antipsychotic drugs for some time before the alleged incident. The court also heard that he was hallucinating when he confessed to the police afterwards.
"when he was interrogated, he saw and heard something," Nichols said. "he was obviously mentally ill."
Counsel claims that Song Zhifan suffers from schizophrenia. (photo by Daily Telegraph)
Judge Les agreed, but said Song Zhifan was accused of "planning and implementing the plan," which shows that he has some degree of control. He added that if Song Zhifan was convicted, he would face a long sentence.
Rice granted bail under strict conditions last month after Mr. Song handed in his passport and his father gave his A $10, 000 insurance.
On January 29, the court will reopen the case.
