Funding still an issue as former businessman's sex assault trial looms

The 55-year-old former businessman is listed to stand trial in September over sexual assault allegations involving multiple female complainants.

Mr Ryan has been experiencing funding issues with a lawyer previously telling a court the man was unable to access any of his assets.

During a funding hearing in Melbourne County Court on July 24, 2024, Mr Ryan said he expected funds to be raised from a property sale, but he could not give a timeline of when that was likely to occur.

"There has to be a property sold and I'm not sure how long that would take in the current market," he said.

"I did ask for an adjournment in the trial so I could be represented (by a lawyer)."

But the court heard the application was premature with the prosecution urging the court to maintain the existing trial listing until closer to the date.

Prosecutor Ingrid Barry said more certainty was needed about settlement funds and the availability of funding for legal representation at trial.

Judicial registrar Alex Wilson said she would bring the matter back to court in about a month's time.

She said if Mr Ryan could provide evidence of settlement dates at that point then the prosecution would likely consider the application to adjourn the trial.

Mr Ryan will face court again on August 14.

Earlier, June 7: It is still unclear whether Warrnambool's Rodney Ryan will be legally represented when he stands trial in September over sexual assault allegations.

The former businessman faced a virtual hearing in Melbourne County Court on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Mr Ryan, 55, was charged in May 2022 with assault, kidnapping, sexual penetration of a child aged under 16 years and two counts of sexual penetration of someone aged under 18.

The charges are historic and relate to a then 15-year-old girl.

Then in June that year police charged the man with allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice and intimidating a witness.

Further charges were then filed in August which allegedly involved three additional complainants dating back to 2015.

On Thursday the court heard family court proceedings were still on foot and an adjournment was granted until July 8.

Mr Ryan has been experiencing funding issues with a lawyer previously telling a court the man was unable to access any of his assets.

If the accused man is not represented by a lawyer he cannot legally cross-examine his four alleged victims or other protected witnesses, which include family members.

Prosecutor Ingrid Barry said a trial date was set for the end of September.

"Depending on the next update and whether (Mr Ryan) is able to engage a lawyer at that point, or will remain self-represented, I would be flagging a discussion or application for him to at least be represented for cross-examination of complainants at the current trial date," she said.

Mr Ryan will face court again next month.