John Harvey Barker pleads guilty to rape, indecent treatment of a child under 16

A 73-year-old man has pleaded guilty to eight sex offences, including rape, against a child under 16.

John Harvey Barker pleaded guilty to one charge of grooming a child under 16, six charges of indecent treatment of a child under 16, one charge of rape and one charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

A 73-year-old double amputee has been convicted of several sex offences, including indecent treatment of a child under 16 and rape.

John Harvey Barker pleaded guilty in Gympie District Court on Monday to grooming a child under 16, six counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, rape and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Barker had no supporters in the public gallery while he entered his plea.

The details of his crimes were not read in court.

The court heard he had spent five months in pre-sentence custody, but released on bail earlier this year and had lived with his brother since.

He was not allowed within 10 kilometres of Gympie except for court appearances as part of his bail undertaking.

Bail was extended and he will return to Gympie District Court for sentence on November 29.