Ex-couple accused of abusing woman’s foster children could face even more charges, court hears

A man and woman who allegedly abused twin adopted children and trawled shopping centres for more victims when they were a couple have been hit with 65 charges.

A woman and her ex-boyfriend accused of repeatedly sexually abusing her two foster children have been charged with a further offending – and a court has heard there will likely be more allegations to come.

The former couple, who cannot be identified, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday by video link for charge determination.

Prosecutors told the court they had filed a new set of documents with the court, charging the duo with a total of 65 offences comprising both in-person and online offending.

Detectives, they said, were still analysing the former couple’s social media conversations between December 2022 and September 2023, which could lead to further charges being laid.

Counsel for the man, meanwhile, revealed they had already sent a proposed plea bargain to prosecutors to seek to resolve his case without a trial.

In November, the man, 36, was arrested and charged with 16 offences including unlawful sexual intercourse and producing child exploitation material.

His ex-partner, 44, is charged with 22 offences including communicating to making a child amenable to sex and permitting unlawful sexual intercourse at her home.

Prosecutors have alleged the couple facilitated the repeated sexual abuse of two foster children who have been in the woman’s care since they were just weeks old.

They have further alleged they discussed their conduct in 30,000 text messages and went “spotting” in shopping malls for more victims.

The duo were arrested after the man alleged boasted, on Tinder, he had “sexually assaulted his ex’s kids.

On Thursday, Magistrate Simon Smart remanded the former couple in custody to answer the charges in August.