Legal argument in the sexual assault trial of sidelined Illawarra Dragons star Jack de Belin is inching closer to completion, with Judge Andrew Haesler appearing on track to deliver his judgement around mid-August.
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Lawyers for De Belin and his co-accused, Callan Sinclair, returned to Wollongong District Court on Thursday to continue presenting their closing submissions in the pre-trial legal argument, which has already consumed almost three weeks of court time since February.
The majority of the legal argument is being held in closed court and details of what has been discussed in open court cannot be published for significant legal reasons.
De Belin and Sinclair stand accused of sexually assaulting a young woman inside a North Wollongong unit block during a night out in December 2018. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.
The pair had been due to stand trial in early February however their case has been repeatedly delayed as lawyers for all sides attempt to resolve complex legal issues.
The legal argument case is expected to wrap up when the matter returns to court on July 31.
Judge Haesler has previously indicated he would need "a couple of weeks" to consider the material and prepare a judgement.
The court has pencilled in the duo's joint trial for three weeks in November.
De Belin and Sinclair, who have been in court for each day of the proceedings, remain on conditional bail.