Former SA police officer Anthony Dunn has sexual assault charges dropped

Five months after being charged with a litany of sexual assault allegations, and following a three-month stint behind bars, all 73 charges against a former cop have been dropped.

Months after police alleged he was the perpetrator of sexual assaults, a former SA police officer has had all charges dropped.

That former officer, Anthony Dunn, 71, was flanked by 13 supporters in the Adelaide Magistrates Court where a police prosecutor formally withdrew the list of 73 charges.

Those charges ranged from rape to sexual assault.

In total, he was charged with 36 counts of rape, nine of indecent assault, 11 of assault, six of aggravated assault with a weapon, five of threatening to kill or endanger life – two aggravated, two of detaining a person to commit an indictable offence, one of aggravated assault causing harm and three firearms offences.

Magistrate Simon Smart was offered no explanation as to why the charges were withdrawn, and Mr Dunn’s supporters appeared surprised by the swiftness of his appearance – which was over in a matter of moments.

Anthony Dunn leaves the Adelaide Magistrates Court in October. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Its brevity was polarising in comparison to his first appearance on the charges, from custody, where a police prosecutor meticulously set out details of the case.

The retiree, who the court heard was in remission for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, had “heart issues” and type two diabetes, at times became animated, shaking his head as the allegations were detailed.

Mr Dunn ended up spending almost three months behind bars on the now-abandoned charges, and a further three months on bail.

Outside of court on Wednesday, markedly more upbeat than a previous appearance where he was told by a magistrate there was nothing stopping him from going on a riverside holiday, Mr Dunn declined to speak to the media.