Theodoros Tsalkos has pleaded not guilty to 27 charges, including falsely imprisoning and raping the girls, then aged 15 and 16, in May 1987.

His lawyers disputed the DNA evidence used to charge him.

But Melbourne magistrate Luisa Bazzani on Tuesday found there was enough evidence for the 59-year-old to stand trial.

"In this case it would appear the DNA evidence directly links you to the allegations made by the complainants," she said.

Melbourne Magistrates Court was previously told Tsalkos worked as a brothel "sitter", in charge of security, at the time.

Then aged 25, he allegedly pretended to be a police officer, picked the girls up at St Kilda and drove them to an unlit laneway at night.

"Well girls, you've been busted for prostitution. I'm an undercover cop," Tsalkos was accused of telling the teens.

"How would you like it if I blew your brains out?"

He allegedly raped one girl, told her he had AIDS and threatened to stab the other unless she complied with his demands.

Tsalkos then allegedly drove the girls to an unused public toilet and continued assaulting them before dropping them back on the street.

A former detective who interviewed the girls afterwards described them as "street-wise".

They initially denied being sex workers before changing their statement.

One complainant died before Tsalkos was charged in 2020.

DNA from one of the girls was linked to another man.

Tsalkos's lawyer, Martin Kozlowski, said this cast doubt on the allegations against his client.

The second man was questioned by police but subsequently ruled out as a suspect.

Tsalkos remains on bail and is due to appear in the County Court for a directions hearing on February 16.

Australian Associated Press