More child sex charges laid against former couple who allegedly abused woman’s foster children
The case against a former couple who allegedly abused her foster kids – and trawled shops for kids – has grown after their latest court appearance.
Police & Courts
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The case against a man and a woman accused of repeatedly sexually abusing her foster children – and trawling shops for more child victims – has grown again, with charges carrying a maximum life sentence.
On Thursday, the former couple – who cannot be identified – were scheduled to face court to enter their pleas to 65 child abuse charges arising from their alleged conduct.
Instead, prosecutors filed an additional 12 charges including new counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 14, and producing child exploitation material.
Those charges carry, under SA law, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
In November, the man, 26, and his ex-partner, 44, were arrested after he allegedly boasted, on Tinder, he had “sexually assaulted my ex’s kids”.
They were charged with multiple offences including unlawful sexual intercourse and producing child exploitation material.
Prosecutors 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 further alleged they discussed their conduct in 30,000 text messages and went “spotting” in shopping malls for more victims.
In May, the number of charges laid against the duo rose to 65, with prosecutors warning more could follow as investigations into their social media conversations continued.
On Thursday, prosecutors told the court they had finalised their case against the pair at a total of 77 charges, and were ready to proceed.
Counsel for the former couple asked the hearing be adjourned, saying they had only recently been provided with USBs containing further material and needed to take instructions from their clients.
The state’s chief magistrate, Judge Mary-Louise Hribal, remanded the man and woman in custody to answer all 77 charges in October.
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