Posted inCrime, Feature, Port Macquarie

78-year-old charged over alleged historical child sexual assaults on Mid North Coast

A 78-year-old man has been charged with 21 offences following an investigation into alleged historical child sexual assaults on the Mid North Coast.

Police allege the offences occurred in Bellangry, about 50 kilometres west of Port Macquarie, between 1980 and 1990.

Strike Force Franbach was established by Mid North Coast Police District detectives in May following multiple reports of alleged historical sexual assaults.

As part of the investigation, detectives, assisted by Newcastle City Police District officers, searched a home on Mitchell Street at Stockton about 9.30am on Thursday, September 24.

Police seized several items from the property for forensic examination.

A 78-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Waratah Police Station.

He was charged with 21 offences, including six counts of aggravated sexual assault where the alleged victim was under the authority of the offender, four counts of committing an indecent act with a person under 16 and four counts of aggravated indecency involving a person under 16 and under the authority of the offender.

The remaining charges include three counts of inciting a person under 16 to commit an act of indecency, two counts of sexual assault involving a person under 16 and two counts of committing an act of indecency with or towards a person under 16.

The man was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Court 2 on Friday, September 25, where he was formally refused bail.

He is due to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court on Thursday, November 19.


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