Sydney artist bailed on rape charges

Prominent Sydney street artist Anthony Lister is set to be freed to bail as he faces charges of drugging and raping several women over three years.

The 40-year-old was on Thursday granted conditional bail in the Central Local Court after agreeing to post $20,000 and forfeit his passport.

He is accused of raping four women, including three art students, as well as tattooing one of the students without consent.

He is facing 12 charges including five counts of sexual intercourse without consent as well as drug and firearm offences.

Police allege he raped the women on separate occasions at his Darlinghurst home between 2015 and 2018, and tattooed three lines on one of the women without her consent.

Lister was arrested last week at a Darlinghurst house after searches were conducted at the property and a Marrickville industrial space.

Police seized four replica pistols, illicit drugs, electronics and a knuckleduster during the searches.

He will return to court in May.