NRL: Stewart tearful in court

Brett Stewart. Photo / Getty Images

Manly fullback Brett Stewart wiped away tears as the jury in his sex assault trial was yesterday told he "would never disrespect a woman".

Stewart, 25, is charged with sexually assaulting and twice indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl outside his North Manly home in Sydney on March 6, 2009.

The jury at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court has been told Stewart cornered the girl, who twice pushed him away when he tongue-kissed her, before he digitally penetrated her vagina.

Yesterday Stewart wiped at tears as the court heard evidence from the team's performance analyst Elizabeth Marin.

She said that in 2009 Stewart had been selected as "the face of rugby league" because he is well known and regarded as one of the friendliest players.

"The last few years that all this has been happening and I have thought about it a number of times ... I know all my players very well and a number of them would never ever disrespect a woman ... and Brett Stewart is someone who would never disrespect a woman like that," Ms Marin told the court.

"Brett Stewart would never, ever, ever disrespect a woman."

She had been with Stewart earlier on the day in question at the club's season launch and he had been his usual "jovial" self, she said.

Asked what she meant by "disrespect", Ms Marin said, "He would never touch a woman inappropriately or speak inappropriately to a woman.

"If it wasn't welcomed, I don't see Brett Stewart doing that."

The trial before Judge Jonathan Williams continues on Monday.

- AAP