Northern Rivers case against historical child abuse proceeds

The Northern Rivers man is facing a number of historical child sex abuse allegations, with one alleged victim as young as four.

The Northern Rivers man's matters were heard in Lismore Local Court on Wednesday, July 28. Credit: AHMET YARALI/ Istock

The case of a Northern Rivers man charged with multiple counts of indecent assault, kidnapping and having unlawful sexual relationships with several young girls is slowly proceeding.

The man, who cannot be named, had his matters heard in Lismore Local Court on Wednesday, July 28.

They include a number of child abuse related charges including eight counts of indecent assault of an underage child, six counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 16, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of detaining a person for the purposes of sexual gratification and two counts of maintaining an adult relationship with a child, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

According to court documents, the charges relate to five girls and date from 1987 to 1997 across the towns of Casino, Woodenbong, Tabulam and Mallanganee.

Police will allege one of the man’s alleged victims, whom he is charged with having sexual intercourse with, was as young as four.

During his Wednesday mention, the DPP prosecutor indicated out of the six matters, five of them had been charge certified.

She explained a delay in the certification was due to the nature of the charges.

“These are historical matters where different complainants have come forward at different times,” she said.

She noted the DPP had until August 12 until the six-month mark on the charges had elapsed.

Magistrate Jeff Linden adjourned the matter for further committal mention on August 25.

The man remains in custody.