A TATHRA man charged with a string of sexual offences against children has had his hearing adjourned until late October.
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The 59-year-old man - who cannot be named under a court-imposed non-publication order - was arrested in Bega earlier this month 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 along with a separate matter for which the accused had previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentence.
He has been charged with eight 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 16; two counts of attempting sexual intercourse with person between 10 and under 16; three counts of attempted sexual intercourse with child over 14 and under 16; two counts of having sexual intercourse with person over 14 and under 16; one count of assault with the act of indecency and five counts of aggravated indecent assault.
On Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions requested a deferral to continue “well-advanced” negotiations with defence attorneys over the 23 separate charges.
The Magistrate agreed, with all matters adjourned until October 28.
The possible lifting of the non-publication order was also raised during Tuesday’s hearing.
The DPP said he had discussed that matter with the family of the complainant and was torn as to whether the potential identification of the complainant could be outweighed by public safety concerns if the man was named.
Magistrate Doug Dick had been considering lifting the suppression order, but acknowledged that “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 until the October 28 court date, 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.
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