A TATHRA man charged with a string of child sex offences has had his hearing deferred until late November, with a further charge laid this week to be considered.
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The 59-year-old man - who cannot be named under a court-imposed non-publication order - was arrested in Bega in September after separate allegations from six males in relation to sexual abuse and indecent assault were raised.
The males were all aged between eight and 16 when the incidents allegedly took place at Tathra between 2006 and 2014.
The hearing was scheduled in Bega Local Court on Tuesday.
He has been charged with 10 counts of committing an act of indecency with person under the age of 16; two counts of having sexual intercourse with person between 10 and under 14; two counts of attempting sexual intercourse with person between 10 and under 14; two counts of having sexual intercourse with person over 14 and under 16; one count of attempted sexual intercourse with child over 14 and under 16; one count of assault with the act of indecency and five counts of aggravated indecent assault.
The Director of Public Prosecutions had previously requested a deferral to continue “well-advanced” negotiations with defence attorneys over the 23 separate charges (click here for story).
However, a further adjournment was requested and granted on Tuesday.
Magistrate Doug Dick has also previously considered lifting the suppression order on the man’s name, but acknowledged “if there is any risk of identifying the complainant there is an automatic non-publication enshrined under legislation” and he continued the order.
Bail was previously granted (BDN, 10/8) and will continue, with strict conditions including the man being banned from coming within a 5km radius of Tathra, not being allowed to contact any of the alleged victims, reporting to police on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and staying with family members away from Tathra.
