Senior SA firefighter charged with sexually assaulting young colleague

A senior officer in South Australia's Metropolitan Fire Service accused of sex crimes while on deployment in New South Wales has told 9News he will contest the charges.

MFS commander Greg Davis is accused of sexually assaulting a young woman, aged in her twenties, in northern NSW in December last year.

The 51-year-old is a high-profile figure within the MFS and has been suspended from work on full pay, until the case is finalised.

The senior official was part of SA's deployment to fight the NSW bushfires.

His alleged victim was also part of the firefighting effort.

Davis has been charged with one count of assault with intent to have sexual intercourse as well as four counts of aggravated sexual touching.

He is now on bail, under strict conditions, and said outside court that he will plead not guilty to all charges.

"I deny all the allegations, I've complied with police and I've pleaded not guilty so this is before the courts, I respect the process," he said. Davis will return to court in March.

If convicted, he faces nearly 50 years behind bars.