Lismore mechanic Luke Philip Gadsby, 44, facing child sexual abuse allegations
A North Coast mechanic refused bail on child sex abuse allegations has failed in a legal bid to have his name concealed. Here’s what we know.
Police & Courts
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A North Coast mechanic has been refused bail after being charged with child sex abuse offences.
Luke Philip Gadsby of Lismore’s Gadsby Automotives was brought into Ballina Local Court in custody on Thursday.
The 44-year-old man has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10, three counts of aggravated sexual assault with a victim under the age of 16 years and aggravated indecent assault against a victim under 16 years.
Gadsby has not yet entered any pleas.
Defence lawyer Emma Trustum-Behan sought a non-publication order on Gadsby’s name, but it was not granted.
Magistrate Karen Stafford said it was “in the interest of public justice” for the accused to be able to be identified as the case proceeds in an open court.
Ms Trustum-Behan, pushing for bail, told the court Gadsby would be particularly vulnerable in custody as an Aboriginal man.
She said there has been a gap in any offending and her client with strong community ties had a limited criminal history.
Gadsby suffered poor mental health and underwent three knee reconstructions, the court was told.
Ms Stafford did order the suppression of information that might identify the alleged victim – including how the pair met and where alleged assaults took place.
Gadsby waved to family members as he exited and a woman was seen weeping at the back of the courtroom’s public gallery.
He is due to reappear over videolink link on March 14.
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