US Marine charged with assaulting Sydney woman

A U.S. Marine has been charged with assaulting a prostitute while on shore leave in Sydney last weekend, police and the U.S. Embassy said Tuesday.

The 25-year-old man, who was not identified, was charged late Monday with assault involving "bodily harm" following an incident at a Sydney brothel on Sunday, police said in a statement.

He was released on bail.

The U.S. Embassy in Canberra said the U.S. Navy was cooperating with the investigation and confirmed that the man, who shipped out Tuesday, will return to Australia to face the charges in court on Nov. 10.

The Marine was one of 3,000 Marines and Navy personnel on shore leave in Sydney after the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu and guided missile destroyer USS Halsey arrived in the port on Friday. The ships departed Tuesday.

Another Marine is being treated at a Sydney hospital for a fractured skull and other head injuries after being assaulted on Saturday night. The 23-year-old is in stable but serious condition, police say. His identity also was not given.