Brian Coughlan fronts court on child sexual assault charges

A Geelong first-grade cricket umpire, local football identity and GDFL life member has faced court for the first time since being charged with child sex offences.

Brian Coughlan will face court in December. Picture: Brian Coughlan Facebook.

A Geelong first-grade cricket umpire, local football identity and GDFL life member has faced court for the first time since being charged with child sex offences.

Brian Coughlan, 64, fronted Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with two counts of sexual assault by touch of a child under the age of 16.

Mr Coughlan appeared in person during the mention, along with two supporters, but didn’t speak.

When the matter was called, magistrate Franz Holzer asked if there had been a resolution between the parties. .

Mr Coughlan’s lawyer, Mary Foley, told the court the matter had not been resolved and asked for an adjournment.

Ms Foley told the court she had made requests for further disclosure from the prosecution, including the video recording of Mr Coughlan’s interview and the written transcript before she could discuss the case further with police at a case conference.

Ms Foley said she could move forward “as soon as” she had the transcript.

Details of Mr Coughlan’s alleged offending were not aired in court during the brief hearing.

The Geelong Advertiser last month revealed the GDFL life member, who tossed the coin before the league’s grand final in September, was facing the allegations.

Mr Coughlan was stood down by the Geelong Cricket Association from his duties as a senior umpire after being informed of the allegations against him by this masthead.

Mr Coughlan officiated in his 400th GCA cricket game last season.

He was last listed as an umpire in the GCA3 first grade match Waurn Ponds Deakin v Alexander Thomson match on November 16.

A servant of the Belmont Lions for 50 years, and a life member and junior co-ordinator, Mr Coughlan’s father was a founding member of the club when it was known as St Bernard’s.

The Lions told the Geelong Advertiser last month Mr Coughlan had been stood down on November 4 amid an ongoing police investigation.

Mr Coughlan’s bail was extended and he will reappear in court on February 11.

Originally published as Brian Coughlan fronts court on child sexual assault charges