Clarence Valley man Peter Fritz Mahoney facing child sexual abuse charges in Grafton court

A Clarence Valley dad charged with sexually assaulting a young girl allegedly threatened to kill her if she spoke out, a court heard.

Peter Fritz Mahoney accused of aggravated sexual intercourse with child.

A Clarence Valley father and ex-member of the State Emergency Service charged with sexually assaulting a young girl allegedly threatened to kill her if she spoke out.

Peter Fritz Mahoney faced Grafton Local Court over video link, seeking his release from behind bars on bail after being hit with seven child sex abuse charges.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Fairleigh told the court on Monday the allegations against the 55-year-old man were “extremely serious”.

“In the police facts there are threats to her (the alleged victim’s) life if she spoke, which poses significant concern for victim protection,” she said.

Police launched investigations years ago, but initially had “insufficient evidence” to proceed”, the court heard.

Mahoney has been charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse.

Ms Fairleigh said the girl’s young age may explain why the matter was delayed.

“She may have felt too uncomfortable to speak,” Ms Fairleigh said.

The allegations date back more than four years, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Brett Marshall told the court that in July last year the alleged victim was “unable to recall” what she told police on previous occasions.

“There are some credibility issues to the Crown case, granted the complainant is young,” he said.

The case was heard in Grafton Courthouse.

Mr Marshall said the case was “semi-historical” in nature.

He said the allegations centred around the girl and Mahoney posed a lesser risk to the community than a person charged with assaulting multiple children.

Mahoney was arrested on February 24 and has been in custody as his case proceeds.

Mr Marshall told the court Mahoney was an SES member and contributor to the Coutts Crossing football team But Mahoney has not been a member of the emergency and rescue service for years.

“Having lived here since 2002, he has strong community ties,” Mr Marshall said.

The court heard Mahoney had no prior criminal history.

Mahoney has been charged with three counts of aggravated sexual intercourse against a person aged over 10 and under 14, two counts of indecently assaulting a person under 16 years of age, one count of attempted aggravated sexual intercourse against a child over 10 and under 14, and one count of inciting aggravated indecency against a victim under 16.

Police have struggled to bring the case before a court.

No formal pleas have been entered.

The court heard Mahoney lived with bipolar disorder and was medicated.

Mr Marshall argued Mahoney should be granted bail to allow him to prepare for his court case and to tend to medical needs.

However, Magistrate Juliana Crofts said the alleged offending was “serious” and could result in significant penalties.

Ms Crofts said the alleged victim’s young age may explain why the case was slow to take shape.

“At an older age she may have recalled things, which explains her behaviour,” she said.

Mahoney was refused bail to face the court on April 24.