Ray Younan on Thursday appeared at Hornsby Local Court where his bail application was rejected by magistrate Bruce Williams.

Detectives from the child abuse squad commenced an investigation following reports a 12-year-old girl had been sexually abused on several occasions by a man known to her.

Detectives then arrested Younan at Lindfield on Wednesday afternoon.

The man was taken to Chatswood Police Station and charged with 11 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16 and seven counts of doing a sexual act with a child.

Police allege the man sexually abused the girl between July and December 2019.

Younan's lawyer Sal Sapuppo told the court the elderly man had coached tennis for more than 40 years and had never faced court, and had never before received complaints from students or parents regarding inappropriate behaviour.

The defence lawyer said Younan lived in Lindfield with his 87-year-old sister - whom he cared for - and posed "no serious risk to the community".

But Mr Williams said allegations Younan had massaged the young girl's breasts and requested she massage his groin while the pair was in a room with others meant he posed a "significant risk" if granted bail.

"How anyone could condone massaging a 12-year-old girl's breasts ... is beyond me," Mr Williams said.

"No one could convince me that this is in any way appropriate. It's almost axiomatic he is a risk to the community."

The pensioner will face court again on January 29.

Australian Associated Press