Queensland man extradited, charged with 2014 Coffs Harbour child sex abuse allegations

Police will allege a Gold Coast man sexually abused a girl aged between seven and eight who was known to him in Coffs Harbour between 2014 and 2017.

A man has been granted release after being extradited over historic Coffs Harbour sexual abuse allegations from more than five years ago.

Officers attached to the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation after receiving a report of alleged child sex abuse on December 16.

Following extensive inquiries, Coffs-Clarence Child Abuse Unit detectives obtained an arrest warrant for a 72-year-old man living in Queensland.

Queensland Police detectives attended a unit in Surfers Paradise and arrested the man about 9am on Tuesday.

Police will allege the man sexually abused a young girl who was known to him, aged between seven and eight, in Coffs Harbour between 2014 and 2017.

The 72-year-old appeared at Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday where detectives applied for, and were granted, his extradition to NSW.

The man was escorted to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with inciting a victim under 10 years to commit an indecent act, indecent assault of a person under 16 years of age, and sexual intercourse with child under age of 10 years.

He appeared for Lismore Local Court on Thursday where he was granted bail to return to his Queensland home.

Magistrate Michael Dakin consented to bail on the condition he report to Gold Coast police on Monday and Friday, not contact witnesses and be of of good behaviour.

A $10000 surety was also entered to ensure the man complied with bail.

A brief is to be served before the court of March 31.

He will appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on April 12.