Mormon ex-police officer faces court over historical abuse allegations
A former Tasmanian Police officer and member of a Mormon church has faced court over historic abuse charges relating to multiple young members of the church. What the court heard.
Tasmania
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An ex-police officer alleged to have abused young members of a Tasmanian congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from several decades ago has faced a Hobart court via telephone on Tuesday.
William John Harding, 84, has been charged with two counts of indecent assault, three counts of assault with indecent intent and one count of rape.
No pleas have been entered.
He appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Tuesday via telephone before Magistrate Robert Webster.
Defence counsel Anne Cleal stated that three charges of assault with indecent intent and one count of rape were new charges added to the matters already before the court and required an adjournment without plea.
“The complaint has a substantial amount of new material, which I will have to go over with Mr Harding,” she said.
As part of Tasmania Police’s Taskforce Artemis, Mr Harding was extradited from Queensland for the charges.
Taskforce Artemis is a specialist police team investigating child abuse allegations from the Commission of Inquiry.
Police will allege that the charges involve “multiple victim-survivors connected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where the man held leadership positions”.
Mr Harding, now based in Ulverstone, also previously held a position as a Tasmanian police officer between 1974 and 1977.
Magistrate Webster bailed Mr Harding to appear in court on August 13.
If you need help:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 or www.lifelinetasmania.org.au.
- Tasmanian Lifeline 1800 98 44 34
- Statewide Sexual Assault Support Line (Sexual Assault Support Service and Laurel House) 1800 697 877.
- Relationships Australia Tasmania 1300 364 277.
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